Skip Maine state header navigation

Agencies | Online Services | Help

Skip First Level Navigation | Skip All Navigation

Air Home > Programs > How do I find out about ...

Desktop computerHow do I find out about air emissions and air toxics near my home?

Each year the Department collects or calculates (based on scientifically-sound models) a variety of emissions data.  This data collection, known as an emissions inventory, serves a many purposes.  Emissions inventory data are used to evaluate the status of existing air quality as related to air quality standards, identify air pollution problems, assess the effectiveness of air pollution policy, and serve as the basis for modeling of predicted pollutant concentrations in the ambient air.

All emission data collected by the Department, unless specifically identified as "trade secret" under rigorous state and federal protocols, is available to the public.  The Department periodically publishes some data in reports, however, specific data requests can be filled by staff.

The following chart describes the type of pollutant data available for point sources (factories and licensed facilities) and area sources (minor point and non-point sources) from the Department.

Year Point Sources
Criteria Pollutants		 Area Sources
Criteria Pollutants		 Point Sources
Hazardous Air Pollutants 		Area Sources
Hazardous Air Pollutants 		Point Sources
Greenhouse Gases

1990

X

X

X

X

 

1991

 

 

 

 

 

1992

X

 

 

 

 

1993

X

X

X

X

 

1994

X

 

 

 

 

1995

X

 

 

 

 

1996

X

X

X

X

 

1997

X

 

 

 

 

1998

X

 

X

 

 

1999

X

X

 

X

 

2000

X

 

X

 

 

2001

X

 

 

 

 

2002

X

X

X

 

2003

X (PDF)

 

 

 

X (PDF)

2004

X (PDF)

 

 

 

X (PDF)

2005
X
X
X
2006
X
      
X

X=Data available

Greenhouse gas emissions data is being collected for the first time in 2004. 

Data on emissions of criteria and hazardous air pollutants and greenhouse gases from mobile sources (cars, trucks, boats, ATVs, lawnmowers, etc.) is calculated using the most currently available model for years 1990 and beyond.  The entire data set is periodically updated as improved modeling tools and information about mobile sources become available.

Information requests for emissions data should describe:

  • The year of the inventory;
  • The pollutants - Are you looking for criteria pollutant data or hazardous air pollutants?  There are nearly 200 hazardous air pollutants and it helps speed our search if pollutants are clearly identified.
  • The source of data you are seeking - Do you want to look at pollutants from point, area or mobile sources? and
  • The geographic area for which you are seeking data - Point source data is available to a facility or town-specific level, however, area and mobile source data is available only to the county level.

Please contact the Department at (207)287-2437 and speak with an Emissions Inventory Program staff person before making a data request.  We can discuss data limitations and report format (electronic or paper).  Help us to help you meet your needs.

top of page

 

On-Line Sources of Emissions and Air Toxics Data from U.S. EPAepa logo

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers several, user-friendly and on-line sources of Maine and national emissions data.

AirData
http://www.epa.gov/air/data/geosel.html

The AirData Web site gives you access to air pollution data for the entire United States. AirData presents annual summaries of air pollution data from two EPA databases: AirData

  • AQS (Air Quality System) database provides air monitoring data - ambient concentrations of criteria air pollutants at monitoring sites, primarily in cities and towns.
  • NEI (National Emission Inventory) database provides estimates of annual emissions of criteria and hazardous air pollutants from all types of sources. The NEI database in 2002 replaced two separate EPA databases for emissions of criteria air pollutants (National Emission Trends, or NET) and hazardous air pollutants (National Toxics Inventory, or NTI).

A map interface and drop down menus allow users to easily select area and pollutants.

National Air Toxics Assessment
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/nata/nsata1.html

The National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment, which is based on 1996 emissions data, produced results that are useful in understanding the quality of air and its possible effect on human health nationwide. The assessment looked at 33 air pollutants (a subset of 32 air toxics from the Clean Air Act's list of 188 air toxics plus diesel particulate matter). Specifically, it consisted of 4 steps that produced nationwide estimates of:

(1) the release of these pollutants into the air from various sources;
(2) the concentration of these compounds in the air;
(3) the exposure of populations to this air; and
(4) the risk of both cancer and noncancer health effects resulting from this exposure.

Maps and data tables are available to look at air toxic emissions from point, area, and mobile sources.

Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2000
http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/emissions.html

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Atmospheric Programs, April 2002. This excerpt describes the characteristics of each of the various greenhouse gases and discusses the concept of Global Warming Potential (GWP) values. Both direct and indirect greenhouse gases are addressed.

top of page