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  • Where can I find older NEI data (prior to 2008)?

    The raw data and summaries that are still available (dating back to 1990) can be obtained from the web page https://www.epa.gov/air-emissions-inventories/pollutant-emissions-summary-files-earlier-neis . Starting with 2001 data, a more limited selection of summary files are available.

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  • What if there is a gap in coverage of the GLEJGP?

    EPA has set up national technical assistance centers (TCTACs), including one solely for tribes and tribal nations, that are geared towards communities. There are two in Region 5: one in Minneapolis and one in Chicago. The TCTACs are separate from this RFA ; however, they cover the entire Great Lakes…

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  • Will boiling my water help?

    No. Boiling water will NOT reduce nitrate levels. In fact, it will make the level of nitrate worse because some of the water will evaporate but the nitrate will not. This increases the concentration of nitrate in water.

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  • Are biogenic emissions included in the emissions trends Tier 1 data?

    No, the biogenic emissions are not included in the emissions trends Tier 1 data. If needed, users can add the biogenic data either as a separate Tier, or specify its inclusion in the “Miscellaneous” Tier 1 group.

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  • Does EPA have a minimum threshold/definition for the Regional scale program? In other words, what does Regional mean or is it open to applicants to determine at any scale?

    GLNPO wants to be extremely flexible and encourage PRs to think about which regions they could expect to effectively cover when creating their application. There are no additional criteria from EPA on how big or small the Project RFA should be.

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  • Is it safe to shower or bathe in water if it is over the nitrate MCL of 10 mg/L?

    Nitrate is only a concern for ingestion (eating and drinking). It is not absorbed through your skin. People who install filter systems for nitrate often install them just for their kitchen sink faucet, and they use that faucet for their cooking and drinking water.

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  • What should I do if my water has elevated nitrates and/or exceeds the MCL?

    If nitrate exceeds the MCL of 10 mg/L, you should find a safe alternative drinking water supply. The quickest thing to do is to begin using bottled water for drinking. Another option is to install a treatment that will remove nitrate from your water such as reverse osmosis or a…

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  • Why is nitrate contamination a concern?

    Nitrate is an acute contaminant, meaning that health effects can occur immediately (I.e. within hours or days) of short-term exposure. Too much nitrate in your body makes it harder for red blood cells to carry oxygen. While most people recover quickly, this can be very dangerous for infants and some…

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  • What sources make up the Sectors or Tiers used in the emissions data summaries?

    Tier 1 and Sector categories are assigned by source classification codes (SCCs) that are the most specific processes available in the NEI. The latest SCC list with the Tier 1 and Sector assignments can be downloaded from the EPA SCC website in Comma Separate Values (CSV) format.

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  • Where can I obtain the hourly data from Continuous Emissions Monitors (CEMs)?

    The CEM emissions data are available from the EPA Clean Air Markets Program Data website.

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  • Could a regional application, include an entire state?

    Yes, with the caveat that the entire state must fall within the historic bounds of the Great Lakes basin. For example, if the Principal Recipient is proposing a GLEJGP for the state of Illinois, projects may fall in the portion of the state within the Great Lakes basin, but not…

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  • What are the possible health effects of nitrate exposure?

    Short-term: Excessive levels of nitrate in drinking water have caused serious illness and sometimes death. The serious illness in infants is due to the conversion of nitrate to nitrite by the body, which can interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of the child’s blood leading to blue baby syndrome (methemoglobinemia). This…

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  • What is nitrate?

    Nitrate (NO3) is a compound of nitrogen and oxygen naturally found in air, soil, water, and some food. Plants and animals require nitrates for their survival and growth, and the human body also produces this compound. In industry, nitrate is used as fertilizers for crops and lawns. Additionally, nitrates are…

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  • I use a carbon filter. Will this help?

    Activated carbon filters, such as those in a “Brita” water pitcher, DO NOT remove nitrates.

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  • How can I get more detailed information? What measurements/sensors are used to measure emissions?

    Access the latest NEI data set . Under 'Sector Summaries - Criteria and Hazardous Air Pollutants by 60 EIS emission sectors', > choose National > for Pollutant, choose PM10 Primary and/ or PM2.5-PRI > Sector, choose all sectors >Submit Query to see results at bottom of page. Open the results…

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