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The
Clean Air Act requires EPA to set National Ambient
Air Quality Standards for pollutants considered harmful
to public health and the environment. The Clean Air Act
establishes two types of national air quality standards.
Primary standards set limits to protect public health,
including the health of "sensitive" populations
such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly. Secondary
standards set limits to protect public welfare, including
protection against decreased visibility, damage to animals,
crops, vegetation, and buildings.
Air pollution comes from many different sources: stationary
sources such as factories and power plants, and smaller
sources such as dry cleaners and degreasing operations;
mobile sources such as cars, buses, planes, trucks, and
trains; and naturally occurring sources such as windblown
dust, and vegetation, all contribute to air pollution.
Air pollution in New Jersey is a serious public health
and environmental problem that affects every resident. Every
day, thousands of New Jersey residents suffer from asthma
and other respiratory ailments due to exposure to ozone
and fine particulates in our air. Improving the quality
of New Jersey’s air is one of DEP’s highest
priorities.
USEPA has set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six
principal pollutants, which are called "criteria" pollutants.
The Bureau of Air Quality Monitoring (BAQM) maintains Ambient
Air Monitoring Sites throughout the State. These monitoring
sites are designed to measure maximum pollutant concentrations,
to assess population exposure, to determine the impact of major
pollution sources, to measure background levels, to determine
the extent of regional pollutant transport, and to measure
secondary impacts in rural areas. The Bureau of Air
Quality Planning (BAQP) then compiles the state's emissions
inventory. BAQP uses the Emissions Inventory with BAQM’s
data to evaluate air quality and reduce emissions throughout
the State. BAQP also develops State Implementation Plans, which
contain specific components including, but not limited to emissions
inventories; control strategies; coordination with other states,
state agencies, and regional organizations; and public participation
in the planning process.
To contact the Air Quality Program, call 609-292-6722.
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