South Carolina State Implementation Plan

SOUTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
AIR POLLUTION REGULATIONS
REGULATION NUMBER 62.3
AIR POLLUTION EPISODES SECTION I - EPISODE CRITERIA Conditions justifying the proclamation of any stage of an air
pollution episode shall be deemed to exist whenever the
Commissioner 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 substantial threat to the
health of persons. The appropriate episode stage will be declared
on a region basis, as dictated by air quality monitoring. Adverse
air quality need not be regionwide to trigger control actions; the
appropriate episode stage will be declared for an entire Air
Quality Control Region when any monitoring site within the region
records ambient air quality in excess of that designated in the
criteria. In making this determination, the Commissioner will be
guided by the criteria listed below:

1. FORECAST - This level will normally be activated when an
Air Stagnation Advisory (ASK) is issued for any part of
South Carolina by the Columbia Forecast Office of the
National Weather Service. If continuous air monitoring
equipment indicates an upward trend in pollutant
concentrations, the Commissioner may request that the
National Weather Service issue an ASK, even though
meteorological factors do not appear critical. In the
absence of an ASA, the Commissioner may, at his
discretion, declare this level when it is in the best
interest of public health and welfare.

2. WATCH - This level will be activated when continuous air
quality monitoring indicates that one of the following
pollutant concentrations has been reached:

PM10 - 350 ug/m3, 24-hour average;

SO2 - 400 ug/m3 (0.15 p.p.m.), 24-hour average;

O3 (Ozone) - 400 ug/m3 (0.2 p.p.m.), 1-hour average;

and meteorological conditions are such that the pollutant
concentrations can be expected to remain at the above
levels for twelve (12) hours or more, or increase, or in
the case of ozone, the situation is likely to recur
within the next 24 hours unless control actions are
taken.

3. ALERT - This level indicates that air quality is
continuing to deteriorate and that additional control
actions are necessary. An alert will be declared when
monitoring indicates that one of the following pollutant
concentrations has been reached:

PM10 - 420 ug/m3, 24-hour average

SO2 - 800 ug/m3 (0.3 p.p.m.), 24-hour average;

O3 (Ozone) - 800 ug/m3 (0.4 p.p.m.), 1-hour average;

and meteorological conditions are such that pollutant
concentrations can be expected to remain at the above
levels for twelve (12) hours or more, or increase, or in
the case of ozone, the situation is likely to recur
within the next 24 hours unless control actions are
taken.

4. EMERGENCY - The primary objective of this plan is to
prevent this level from ever being reached; however,
should this level be reached the most stringent control
actions are necessary. An emergency will be declared
when monitoring indicates that one of the following
pollutant concentrations has been reached:

PM10 - 500 ug/m3, 24-hour average;

SO2 - 1600 ug/m3 (0.6 p.p.m.), 24-hour average;

O3 (Ozone) - 1000 ug/m3 (0.5 p.p.m.), 1-hour
average;

and meteorological conditions are such that this
condition can be expected to continue for twelve (12)
hours or more, or increase, or in the case of ozone, the
situation is likely to recur within the next 24 hours
unless control actions are taken.

5. TERMINATION - Once declared, any level 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 level will be assumed. SECTION II - EMISSION REDUCTION REQUIREMENTS Operators of plants emitting 100 tons per year or more of a
single pollutant, and located in a nonattainment county or a county
with a nonattainment area, are required to submit written plans for
meeting the required reductions of pollutants for which the county
is in nonattainment. These plans must identify the air pollutant
source, the approximate amount of reduction of pollutants and a
brief description of the manner in which the reduction will be
achieved during each level. Sources of particulate matter and
sulfur dioxide have been subject to this requirement since 1972.
Sources of volatile organic compounds must comply with this
requirement by July 1, 1980.

________________________________________________________________

THIS IS THE FEDERALLY APPROVED REGULATION AS OF JULY 8, 1981

Date Submitted Date Approved Federal
to EPA by EPA Register

Original Reg: JAN 21, 1972 MAY 31, 1972 37 FR 10842
1st Revision: DEC 20, 1978 JAN 29, 1980 45 FR 6572
2nd Revision: SEP 10, 1980 JUL 8, 1981 46 FR 35259
3rd Revision: APR 29, 1988 OCT O3, 1989 54 FR 40662

TABLE I - EMISSION REDUCTION PLANS WATCH LEVEL

PART A. GENERAL

When a Watch Level is declared, the following voluntary actions
will be requested:

1. There should be no open burning by any persons of tree
waste, vegetation, refuse, or debris in any form.

2. The use of incinerators for the disposal of any form of
solid waste should be limited to the hours between 12
noon and 4 p.m.

3. Persons operating fuel-burning equipment which requires
boiler lancing or soot blowing should perform such
operations between the hours of 12 noon and 4 p.m.

4. Persons operating motor vehicles should eliminate all
unnecessary operations.

PART B. SOURCE CURTAILMENT

Persons responsible for the operation of a source of air pollutants
listed below shall be advised of existing conditions and be advised
to review their emission reduction plans:

1. Coal or oil-fired electric power generating plants.

2. Coal or oil-fired process steam generating plants.

3. Industrial Sources of the following classifications:

Tire Manufacturing Bulk Gasoline Terminals
Primary Metals Industry MineralProcessing Industries
Petroleum Refining Paper and Allied Products
Operations Grain Industry
Chemical Industries Surface Coating
Petroleum Storage Degreasing Operations
Plants
Printing

TABLE 2 - EMISSION REDUCTION PLANS ALERT LEVEL

PART A. GENERAL

Upon declaration of an Alert Level the following will apply:

1. There shall be no open burning by any persons of tree waste,
vegetation, refuse, or debris in any form.

2. The use of incinerators for the disposal of any form of solid
waste or liquid waste shall be prohibited.

3. Persons operating fuel-burning equipment which requires boiler
lancing or soot blowing shall perform such operations only
between the hours of 12 noon and 4 p.m.

4. Persons operating motor vehicles requested to reduce
operations by the use of the car pools and increased use of
public transportation and elimination of unnecessary
operation.

PART B. SOURCE CURTAILMENT

Any person responsible for the operation of a source of air
pollutants listed below shall take all required control actions for
this Alert Level to include the following:

1. Coal or oil-fired electric power generating plants:

a. Maximum reduction by utilization of fuels having lowest
ash and sulfur content.

b. Maximum utilization of mid-day (12 noon to 4 p.m.)
atmospheric turbulence for boiler lancing and soot
blowing.

c. Maximum reduction by diverting electric power generation
to plants outside of Alert Area.

2. Coal and oil-fired process steam generating plants:

a. Maximum reduction by utilization of fuels having the
lowest available ash and sulfur content.

b. Maximum utilization of mid-day (12 noon to 4 p.m.)
atmospheric turbulence for boiler lancing and soot
blowing.

c. Making ready for use a plan of action to be taken if an
emergency develops.

3. Industrial sources including petroleum refining, chemical,
primary metals, glass, paper and allied products which require
considerable lead time for shut-down:

a. Maximum reduction of air contaminants from manufacturing
operation by, if necessary, assuming reasonable economic
hardships by postponing production and allied operations.

b. Maximum reduction by deferring trade waste disposal
operations which emit solid particles, gases, vapors or
any malodorous substances.

c. Maximum reduction of heat load demands for processing.

d. Maximum utilization of mid-day (12 noon to 4 p.m.)
atmospheric turbulence for boiler lancing or soot
blowing.

4. Industrial sources including primary metals, chemical, mineral
processing, grain, surface coating, bulk gasoline terminals,
petroleum storage plants, degreasing operations, printing and
tire manufacturing which require relatively short lead times
for shut-down:

a. Elimination of air pollutants from manufacturing
operations by ceasing, curtailing, postponing or
deferring production and allied operations to the extent
possible without causing injury to persons or damage to
equipment.

b. Elimination of air pollutants from trade waste disposal
processes which emit solid particles, gases, vapors or
malodorous substances.

c. Maximum utilization of heat load demands for processing.

d. Maximum utilization of mid-day (12 noon to 4 p.m.)
atmospheric turbulence for boiler lancing or soot
blowing.

e. Maximum reduction in gasoline and petroleum products
transfer.

TABLE 3 - EMISSION REDUCTION PLANS
EMERGENCY LEVEL

PART A. GENERAL

Upon declaration of Emergency Level the following will apply:

1. There shall be no open burning by any persons of tree waste,
vegetation, refuse or debris in any form.

2. The use of incinerators for the disposal of any form of solid
or liquid waste shall be prohibited.

3. All places of employment described below shall immediately
cease operations:

a. Mining and quarrying of nonmetallic minerals.

b. All construction work except that which must proceed to
avoid emergency physical harm.

c. All manufacturing establishments except those required to
have in force an air pollution episode plan.

d. All wholesale trade establishments, i.e., places of
business primarily engaged in selling merchandise to
retailers, or industrial, commercial, institutional or
professional users, or to other wholesalers or acting as
agents in buying merchandise for or selling merchandise
to such persons or companies except those engaged in the
distribution of drugs, surgical supplies and food.

e. All offices of local, county and State government
including authorities, joint meetings and other public
bodies except such agencies which are determined by the
chief administrative officer of local, county, or state
government, authorities, joint meetings and other public
bodies to be vital for public safety and welfare and the
enforcement of the provisions of this order.

f. All retail trade establishments except pharmacies,
surgical supply distributors, and stores primarily
engaged in the sale of food.

g. Banks, credit agencies other than banks, securities and
commodities brokers, dealers, exchangers and services;
offices of insurance carriers; agents and brokers, real
estate offices.

h. Wholesale and retail laundries, laundry services and
cleaning and dyeing establishments; photographic studios;
beauty shops, barber shops, shoe repair shops.

i. Advertising offices; consumer credit reporting,
adjustment and collection agencies; duplicating,
addressing, blueprinting; photocopying, mailing, mailing
list and stenographic services; equipment rental
services, commercial testing laboratories.

j. Automobile repair, automobile service, garages, gasoline
stations.

k. Establishments rendering amusement and recreational
services including motion picture theaters.

l. Elementary and secondary schools, colleges, universities,
professional schools, junior colleges, vocational
schools, and public and private libraries.

4. All commercial and manufacturing establishments not included
in this order will constitute such actions as will result in
maximum reduction or air pollutions from their operation by
ceasing, curtailing, or postponing operations which emit air
pollutants to the extent possible without causing injury to
person or damage to equipment.

5. The use of motor vehicles is prohibited except in emergencies
with the approval of local or state police.

PART B. SOURCE CURTAILMENT

Any person responsible for the operation of a source of air
pollutants listed below shall take all required control actions for
this Emergency Level to include the following:

1. Coal or oil-fired electric power generating plants:

a. Maximum reduction by utilization of fuels having lowest
ash and sulfur content.

b. Maximum utilization of mid-day (12 noon to 4 p.m.)
atmospheric turbulence for boiler lancing or soot
blowing.

c. Maximum reduction by diverting electric power generation
to plants outside of Emergency Area.

2. Coal and oil-fired process steam generating plants:

a. Maximum reduction by reducing heat and steam demands to
absolute necessities consistent with preventing equipment
damage.

b. Maximum utilization of mid-day (12 noon to 4 p.m.)
atmospheric turbulence for boiler lancing and soot
blowing.

c. Take the action called for in the emergency plan.

3. Primary metals, petroleum refining, chemical, mineral
processing, grain, paper and allied products industries shall
take the following control actions:

a. Elimination of air pollutants from manufacturing
operations by ceasing, curtailing, postponing or
deferring production and operations to the extent
possible without causing injury to persons or damage to
equipment.

b. Elimination of air pollutants from trade waste disposal
processes which emit solid particles, gases, vapors, or
malodorous substances.

c. Maximum reduction of heat load demands for processing.

d. Maximum utilization of mid-day (12 noon to 4 p.m.)
atmospheric turbulence for boiler lancing or soot
blowing.

________________________________________________________________

THIS IS THE FEDERALLY APPROVED REGULATION AS OF OCTOBER 3, 1989

Date Submitted Date Approved Federal
to EPA by EPA Register

Original Reg: JAN 21, 1972 MAY 31, 1972 37 FR 10842
1st Revision: DEC 20, 1978 JAN 29, 1980 45 FR 6572
2nd Revision: SEP 10, 1980 JUL 8, 1981 46 FR 35259
3rd Revision: JUN 05, 1985 OCT 03, 1989 54 FR 40660
4th Revision: APR 29, 1988 OCT O3, 1989 54 FR 40662

For information about the contents of this page please contact Sean Lakeman

South Carolina State Implementation Plan

Local Navigation