Air Toxics Training Resources
As the air toxics program expands from its traditional regulatory approach to include community level, risk based tactics, the air pollution staff at the local, state, and federal levels will need to expand our skill set. Community level air toxics risk assessment and management require the participation of stakeholders with differing points of view. The risk management decisions that the community workgroups develop will not have the force of law or regulation to compel their implementation. Rather, community level risk management will require consensus within the community. Achieving this consensus will depend upon two general skill sets. Industry, business, environmental, academic, governmental, and other stakeholders will rely on a solid technical basis for the decisions that they make, and the effectiveness and implementation of their decisions will hinge on the involvement of the community.
The Education and Outreach Web site provides links to technical air pollution training provided by EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. You can also find information about satellite broadcasts, training, outreach resources and environmental education.
The Air Toxics Now quarterly broadcast is aired in March, July, and November. Past broadcasts can be viewed by visiting the Air Toxics Now past broadcast website and clicking on the date. You must have a current version of RealPlayer to view the broadcast from your PC. RealPlayer has a Player that can be downloaded free of charge from their Internet site. Click Here to download Real Player.
The APTI Virtual Classroom
The APTI Virtual Classroom gives you the opportunity to take EPA’s technical air pollution training as a self-instructional course via the Internet. IT is available via the Air Quality Planning and Standards Education and Outreach Website. EPA established the Air Pollution Training Institute (APTI) over 30 years ago to provide technical air pollution training to environmental professionals in state, tribal, and local governments. Click Here to view this training material as available via the Web.
Risk-Based Air Toxics Computer Training Course
This computer-based training course consist of 11 interactive modules. These modules contain simulations, animation, and graphics. Each module is approximately 30-45 minutes in length. Upon completion of this training, students will have a basic understanding of air pollution toxicology, epidemiology, and risk assessment. This computer training course is in a self-study format with review questions to help reinforce the information. Once the course is completed, students can take a quiz and with a passing score can then print out a certificate of completion.
Understanding Air Toxics Video
The Understanding Air Toxics video provides an overview of EPA’s regulatory approach to reducing the emissions of hazardous air pollutants. This 15 minute video describes the sources, effects and risks associated with air toxins: what they are, where they come from and how they impact people and the environment. Please contact Donna Rogers at rogers.donna@epa.gov to request a video.
MACT Control Technology Series
The MACT Control Technology Series has been developed to provide new state, tribal and local inspection personnel basic training on air pollution control equipment. The series provides instruction on control equipment such as:
1) Electrostatic Precipitator, 2) Incineration, 3) Carbon Adsorption, 4)Wet Scrubbers,
5) Condensation, and 6) Absorbers. Although this is not intended as a complete training in the inspection of these devices, it will provide a basic understanding of the different types of equipment. This series is available on CD, video tape, or as a downloadable ZIP file. CDs or the V.S. tape can be requested via e-mail to rogers.donna@epa.gov.
Air Toxics Web site
For additional information on hazardous air pollutants. This page provides links to information about the sources, controls, and risks associated with air toxic pollution in the United States.