Training: Uniform Air Quality Training Program (UAQTP)

The Uniform Air Quality Training Program (UAQTP) is a four-day series of 14 sections providing an introduction to air pollution control and enforcement. The program is intended for new, entry-level stationary source inspectors, regulatory agency staff, and environmental specialists in business and government. You will learn the basics of air pollution history, the evolution of air pollution laws and regulations, control equipment, and inspection procedures associated with proper compliance inspections. You are encouraged to ask questions and share your experiences.

The entire series must be completed for a certificate of completion to be issued. More information about each of the 14 sections is listed below. The reference manual for this course is provided on CD-ROM (you might wish to bring a laptop computer, but it's not required). You are encouraged to complete this series before taking our 200 and 300-series courses. We do not offer training on visible emissions evaluation (VEE) in this series. If you would like to become a VEE certified "smoke reader," please take course #100, Fundamentals of Enforcement (AKA: "Smoke School"). For training offered outside California, please contact the National Program.

This section provides a brief, entertaining, historical tour of air pollution from social, political, cultural, and technological perspectives. The key events covered are historical incidents that brought attention to air pollution as a significant health and welfare problem.

Meteorology and Climatology examines the atmospheric factors that influence the accumulation and dispersion of air pollution both globally and locally. Atmospheric thermodynamics, topography, and air flow are discussed as they apply to the formation and transportation of air pollutants.

The major classes of air contaminants are discussed in this section. The concept of criteria and non-criteria pollutants is introduced followed by a discussion of ambient air quality standards. Emissions inventories and reduction strategies are also covered.

Inspector Safety outlines some of the potential hazards encountered during common source inspections. This section includes discussions on the selection and use of safety equipment and its application to various workplace environments. Walking, climbing, burn, electrical, and explosion dangers are addressed as they apply to source inspections. For more detailed information about inspector health and safety, students are encouraged to enroll in Course #202, Health and Safety.

This section presents the principles, rules and guidelines that govern the process of regulatory development. Details of the process at the federal, state, and local levels of government are explored, with emphasis on those that affect district rulemaking. Programs and terminology such as AQMPs, SIP, CTGs, RACT, BACT, NSPS, NSR and NESHAPS will be explained.

This section will give an overview of the physical and administrative techniques to effectively inspect various sources that fall under the jurisdiction of air pollution agencies. This is presented in two phases: the first discusses general procedures for conducting effective source inspections; the second deals with formatting and writing clear, concise, and complete inspection reports.

Some common methods for controlling particulate and gaseous air emissions are covered in this section. An overview of the operating principles of typical emission control devices are discussed, including key inspection considerations. For more detailed information about particular control devices and processes, students are encouraged to enroll in our 200-series courses.

This section introduces the principles of processing air pollution nuisance complaints with special emphasis on the field investigation process. Legal aspects of public nuisance laws associated with air pollution, causes of complaints, complaint investigation, and resolution of complaints are some of the subjects discussed.

This section presents an overview of the methods used to ensure sample integrity with special emphasis on the chain of custody procedure. Specifically, the topics covered will include standard sample gathering procedures, protocols for specific samples, and general safety concerns.

This introductory section discusses the basic concepts of air pollution chemistry, including simple chemical reactions and the nomenclature for important hydrocarbon compounds. Discussions will also include ozone formation in the atmosphere, air toxics, acid deposition, and indoor air pollution.

This section gives a brief overview of how air pollution laws, rules, and regulations are developed. The section will cover basic legal principles, courtroom proceedings and tactics, as well as significant cases that have led to modern-day air pollution laws.

Inspector Conduct and Liability is designed to familiarize field inspectors with commonly accepted practices and procedures regarding their professional conduct. This section addresses legal entry, right to inspect, confidential material, and the potential consequences and legal ramifications of illegal conduct or tactics.

This section covers the basic concepts involved in ambient and source monitoring. Reasons for monitoring, monitoring instruments and their use, and the acquisition and use of air quality data are discussed. For more in-depth coverage of this topic, students are encouraged to enroll in Course #222, Principles of Ambient Air Monitoring.

This section is designed to familiarize students with the health affects of diesel particulate exposure, the history of ARB’s diesel risk reduction program and all of the enforcement programs currently in place as well as those planned. A variety of Airborne Toxic Control Measures (ATCMs), both in place and in process, are covered including the standards, control measures/equipment and expected emission reductions. Finally, inspection procedures, monitoring requirements and record keeping requirements are discussed.

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Course #101: Uniform Air Quality Training Program (UAQTP)