ABSTRACT
Emission estimates are central to air quality permitting. The determination of what regulations apply and what requirements must be satisfied are based on the emissions anticipated from a proposed project. In some cases, a project may not be permittable if the emissions are too high. In most cases, the higher the emissions, the more extensive the requirements that must be satisfied. Emission estimating is usually done in sequential steps, with the first estimates more crude and conservative. Emission estimating goals provides the most accurate estimate of emissions possible given the available data, where assumptions must be made, err on the side of public health. This chapter discusses the approaches to identify sources of air pollutant emissions first, and then four techniques for estimating emissions. The four accepted methods for estimating air pollutant emissions are emission factors, engineering calculations, material balances, source testing.
