AIR Quality FAQs
What are the main types of air emissions resulting from the USC activities?
Criteria Pollutants: Particulate matter (PM), Volatile organic compounds
(VOC), CO, NOx, SO2, O3, Pb, HAPs
 PM, VOC, CO, NOx, and SO2 emissions typically result from the combustion of
fuel from the operation of equipment such as boilers, furnaces, space heaters, hot
water heaters, and emergency operations.
 Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) emissions result from the use of volatile organic
chemicals and radionuclides metals in the laboratory and in maintenance
operations.
What is Title V?
Title V is a federal program designed to standardize air quality permits and the
permitting process for major sources of emissions across the country. Title V applies
only to “major sources” that meet specific criteria. EPA defines a major source as a
facility that emits, or has the potential to emit (PTE) any criteria pollutant or
hazardous air pollutant (HAP) at levels equal to or greater than the Major Source
Threshold (MST).
There are three air basins within the AQMD jurisdiction. The following table shows
how a facility may determine if it is a Title V major source based on MSD for the
three air basins.
Major Source Potential to Emit Emission Thresholds
Criteria
Pollutants
VOC
NOx
SOx
CO
PM-10
Single HAP
Combination of
HAPs
(tons per year)
South coast Air Riverside County
Basin
Portion of Salton
Sea Air Basin
10
25
10
25
100
100
50
100
70
70
10
10
25
25
Riverside County
Portion of Mojave
Desert Air Basin
100
100
100
100
100
10
25
Is USC subject to Title V?
Yes, USC is a major source mainly because of NOx emission. USC produces other
criteria pollutants and hazardous air pollutants at level below thresholds except NOx.
The USC is located in the South Coast Air Basin which is in the extreme attainment
status in all air pollutants.
If an air quality permit is not required, are there still actions required to comply with
environmental regulations?
Depending upon the type of activity or equipment in action, records may be required
to be kept to demonstrate that a permit is not required. Training and certification may
be required to operate or maintain particular equipment.
Is the AQMD Permit required to operate fume hoods which are used for handling
volatile chemicals and radioactive materials?
No, the USC laboratory fume hoods are exempted from the permit, monitoring, or
record keepings.
University of Southern California is not a big industrial source of air pollution. Why
so many requirements affect the University activities and operation?
Regulatory agencies feel that many industrial facilities have reduced their emission
with air pollution control measures and implementation. They are now addressing
cumulative effects of air emissions from many small emitters.
What can be done to limit the amount of air pollution that enters the atmosphere from
activities in the USC?




Ensure that covers and lids are kept closed on all containers holding volatile
chemical and wastes when not in use.
Combustion equipment can be converted from the use of oils to the use of less
polluting gas.
Use of carpool van, shuttle services and public transportation such as metro train.
Replace toxic or high volatile content materials (i.e., paints, solvents, and inks)
with effective non-toxic or low-VOC substitutes.