Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 1 - 15 of 16 results

• Does EPA’s announcement of June 18, 2010 modify the Lead Renovation Repair and Painting Rule’s requirements that contractors use lead-safe work practices when working in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities?

  Answer: This announcement does not change the requirement that all contractors take steps to protect children and families from the dangers of lead poisoning by becoming certified and following the work practice standards and the associated recordkeeping requirements. As of April 22, 2010 all contractors have been required to be…

  • Last published: November 14, 2024

• How does the June 18, 2010 announcement impact renovators in states that have adopted their own RRP programs?

  Answer: If you work in a state authorized by EPA to run their own renovation program, you should contact them for information on their certification requirements. If you work in a state where EPA administers the renovation program your firm needs to be certified by EPA. Please refer to the…

  • Last published: November 5, 2024

• Thousands of renovators are already trained and their firms are EPA certified. Will EPA enforce against renovators who did not receive their training certification before December 31, 2010?

  It is most important that all contractors follow the RRP work practice standards. However, EPA is providing additional time for renovation firms and workers to obtain the necessary training and certifications before the enforcement of the firm certification and individual renovator requirements begins. Therefore, renovators who have not been able…

  • Last published: November 19, 2024

• Where can I download hourly emissions data from continuous monitoring?

  Hourly emissions data files are available from the Clean Air Markets Division of EPA, collected as part of 40 CFR Part 75. The download location has changed in February, 2023. The new location is https://campd.epa.gov/data/bulk-data-files . Once on this new site, use the menu (at the left) and the Keyword…

  • Last published: January 7, 2025

• How complete are the data in the National Emissions Inventory?

  While the goal of the National Emissions Inventory (NEI) program is to include all emissions data, there are always challenges meeting this goal. The answer about completeness of coverage of sources depends on the emissions sector and pollutant. In general, the criteria air pollutants and precursors (CAPs) are expected to…

  • Last published: January 7, 2025

• Where is more information available about emissions estimation methods used by the EPA?

  For criteria air pollutants and precursors as well as for hazardous air pollutants, the methods are described in the technical support document (TSD) for the latest National Emissions Inventory (NEI) available from the main NEI page . For greenhouse gas emissions, you can find greenhouse gas inventory methods from the…

  • Last published: January 7, 2025

• Where are the NAICS/ SIC and SCC codes changes that have been implemented for the 2017NEI?

  Please refer to the NEI webpage for 2017 documentation , and follow the link for Appendix 2 - 2017 NEI Plan Code Changes. That Excel file describes anticipated changes for the SCCs and NAICS and includes a helpful read me. I'll just note in the next NEI/EIS email that SCC…

  • Last published: March 18, 2024

• Does the June 18, 2010, announcement mean that EPA will not enforce certification and training requirements until after October 1, 2010, for firms and December 31, 2010, for renovators?

  Answer: EPA is not stopping its enforcement against any renovation firms and individual renovators who do not comply with requirements of work practice standards and associated recordkeeping requirements. However, EPA is providing additional time for renovation firms and workers to obtain the necessary training and certifications before enforcement of the…

  • Last published: November 5, 2024

• How are emissions trends compiled?

  For criteria air pollutants and precursors, the emissions trends are based on the triennial National Emissions Inventory data, with some interim year data included for non-triennial years. The methods and interim-year approaches are described on the “Development of Data” tab included with the data provided on the Air Pollutant Emissions…

  • Last published: January 7, 2025

• How do I determine what SCCs have changed between inventory years?

  These are available in the EIS (Reporting Code table) or public website: https://sor-scc-api.epa.gov/sccwebservices/sccsearch/ Filter on “last inventory year” to remove SCCs no longer active. If this column has a date in it, then the SCC has been retired as of that date. The “last updated date” (column J) indicates when…

  • Last published: January 23, 2025

• Are the GHGs in the National Emissions Inventory Complete?

  No, the 2020 National Emissions Inventory (NEI) does not comprehensively capture all sources and sinks of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the United States. For this information, users should review the EPA’s annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks . However, the NEI does report GHG emissions for select…

  • Last published: May 31, 2024

• What are EPA’s plans for the 2020 National Emissions Inventory given the atypical situation from COVID-19 that is impacting emissions? What will it be used for?

  The EPA intends to prepare a 2020 National Emissions Inventory in collaboration with state, local, and tribal air agency partners. The Air Emissions Reporting Rule (AERR) requires states and delegated local and tribal agencies to report emissions from stationary sources and provide model inputs for onroad and nonroad sources (except…

  • Last published: August 15, 2024

• Who would be liable for the fine if a state or local government that was not a certified firm hired a contractor that was not certified?

  Answer: The hired firm would be in violation of the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule if it was uncertified and performing a covered renovation. Question Number: 23002-24814 Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .

  • Last published: November 20, 2024

• How are people potentially exposed to nitrate?

  For many situations, the potential for children’s exposure from drinking water is medium to low. The potential can be higher when private wells become contaminated with nitrates from feed lot and agricultural runoff, and contaminated groundwater. Some geographic areas are at higher risk of drinking water contamination of private wells…

  • Last published: November 26, 2024

• How often are the NEI data updated and how frequently are the data published?

  The full NEI is created for every third inventory year (e.g., 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2017). The data for each version has been updated two times each for the 2008, 2011, and 2014 NEI cycles. For the 2017 NEI and beyond, the EPA is trying to publish only a single…

  • Last published: January 7, 2025