§ 8-18. Rules for controlling emissions during periods of high air pollution potential.

(a)

General provisions.

(1)

This section shall apply to all emissions from any source or any premises.

(2)

This section may apply to all or part of the city depending upon the pollutant involved, meteorological conditions and whether air sampling reveals only a localized problem.

(3)

An air pollution watch, yellow alert, red alert or emergency can be declared on the basis of deteriorating air quality alone; an air stagnation advisory need not be in effect. The appropriate episode status should be declared by the director when the National Ambient Monitoring Stations (NAMS) or the state/local ambient monitoring stations (SLAMS) record ambient air quality below that designated in the criteria.

(4)

The levels used to designate an air pollution emergency are those that pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health. Because these levels should not be permitted to occur, an air stagnation advisory should be declared when it appears that these levels may be reached.

(b)

Air pollution alert values.

(1)

Yellow alert values. Exceeding a Pollution Standards Index (PSI) of 200 or any one of the following values shall initiate the yellow alert:

a.

SO ₂ - 800µg/m3 (0.3 ppm), 24-hour average.

b.

PM ₁₀ Particulate - 350µg/m3, 24-hour average.

c.

CO - 17 mg/m3 (15 ppm), 8-hour average.

d.

O ₃ - 400µg/m3 (0.2 ppm), 1-hour average.

e.

NO ₂ - 1,130µg/m3 (0.6 ppm), 1-hour average, 282µg/m3 (0.15 ppm), 24-hour average.

(2)

Red alert values. Exceeding a PSI of 300 or any one of the following values shall initiate the red alert:

a.

SO ₂ - 1,600µg/m3 (0.6 ppm), 24-hour average.

b.

PM ₁₀ Particulate - 420µg/m3, 24-hour average.

c.

CO - 34 mg/m3 (30 ppm), 8-hour average.

d.

O ₃ - 800µg/m3 (0.4 ppm), 1-hour average.

e.

NO ₂ - 2,260µg/m3 (1.2 ppm), 1-hour average; 565µg/m3 (0.3 ppm), 24-hour average.

(3)

Emergent alert value. Exceeding a PSI of 400 or any one of the following values shall initiate an emergency alert:

a.

SO ₂ 2,100µg/m3 (0.8 ppm), 24-hour average.

b.

PM ₁₀ Particulate - 500µg/m3, 24-hour average.

c.

CO - 46 mg/M3 (40 ppm), 8-hour average.

d.

0 ₃ - 1,000µg/m3 (0.5 ppm), 1-hour average.

e.

NO ₂ - 3,000µg/m3 (1.6 ppm), 1-hour average; 750µg/m3 (0.4 ppm), 24-hour average.

(c)

Air pollution watch. Air pollution watch procedures shall be initiated by the director upon receipt of a 36-hour high air stagnation advisory from the National Severe Storms Center, or the United States Environmental Protection Agency for an area including all or part of the city. The following watch procedures shall apply:

(1)

Notify the staff director of the state department of natural resources, the chairman, and members of the Missouri Air Conservation Commission that watch conditions exist.

(2)

Notify all affected governmental control agencies that watch conditions exist and that coordination of action is required.

(3)

Increase the frequency of air monitoring at the NAMS and SLAMS sampling stations which are not continuous at intervals not exceeding two hours with continual hourly review at a central control location, if such equipment is available and it is deemed necessary by the director.

(4)

Inform the general public through the news media that a high air pollution potential exists and of the area(s) where high initial readings have been obtained from sampling and encourage persons suffering from respiratory ailments or heart conditions to take whatever precautions are most appropriate.

(5)

All variances or permits allowing open burning shall be temporarily rendered invalid for the duration of the high air pollution potential.

(6)

Facilities which are sources of air contaminant emissions and are required to file approved alert plans with the director shall be notified that watch conditions exist. All such industries shall be requested to voluntarily begin actions to reduce emissions of air contaminants from their operations, consistent with the provisions of their yellow alert plans. See Table II.

(7)

The director may request through the news media that the use of automobiles be restricted to necessary driving only.

(d)

Yellow alert procedures.

(1)

Yellow alert procedures shall be initiated by the director if the following conditions are met:

a.

An air stagnation advisory is in effect;

b.

The yellow alert values are equaled or exceeded at any one sampling station within the advisory area, unless there is a current forecast of meteorological improvement within the next 24 hours; and

c.

Meteorological conditions are so that the pollutant concentrations can be expected to remain or reoccur at the previously mentioned levels during the next 24 or more hours or increase unless control actions are taken.

(2)

The following are yellow alert procedures:

a.

Notify the staff director of the state department of natural resources, the chairman and members of the Missouri Air Conservation Commission that yellow alert conditions exist.

b.

Notify all affected governmental control agencies that yellow alert conditions exist and that coordination of action is required.

c.

Notify all hospitals within the affected area that yellow alert conditions exist.

d.

Increase the frequency of air monitoring at NAMS and SLAMS sampling stations which are not continuous at intervals not exceeding one hour, with continual hourly review at a central control location if such equipment is available and it is deemed necessary by the director.

e.

Inform the general public through the news media that a yellow alert exists, of the geographical area or areas where the alert is applicable, of the emission and type of source or sources that initiated the alert, of individual abatement actions which will help alleviate the problem, and encourage those with respiratory ailments or heart conditions to take the most appropriate and expedient precautions.

f.

The director shall request emphatically through the news media that all unnecessary use of automobiles be restricted and that all entertainment functions and facilities be closed.

g.

Facilities which are sources of air contaminant emissions and are required to file approved alert plans with the director for yellow alert conditions shall initiate such plans upon notification by the director. See Table II.

h.

No open burning will be allowed anywhere within the affected area.

i.

The operation of motor boats, lawn mowers, chainsaws and weed trimmers shall not be allowed.

_____

TABLE II

YELLOW ALERT PLAN OBJECTIONS

Air Contaminant Source		Requirements for Plan
1.	Electric power generating facilities	1a.	Reduction of emission by utilization of fuels having low ash and sulfur content.
		b.	Soot blowing and boiler lancing to be allowed only during period of high atmospheric turbulence (12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
		c.	Reduction of emissions by diverting electric power generation to facilities outside of area for which the alert is called.
2.	Process steam generating facilities.	2a.	Reduction of emissions by utilization of fuels having low ash and sulfur contend.
		b.	Soot blowing and boiler lancing to be allowed only during periods of high atmospheric turbulence (12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
		c.	Reduction of steam load demands consistent with continuing the operation of the plant.
3.	Manufacture industries of the 3a. following (SIC) group designations Paper and Allied Products Industries-Group 26 operations Chemicals and Allied Products Industries-Group 28 Petroleum Refining and Related Industries-Group 29 Stone, Glass, Clay and Concrete Product Industries-Group 32 Primary Metals Industries-Group 33 Grain Industries-Group 20		Reduction of air contaminant emissions by curtailing, postponing or deferring production and allied operations.
		b.	Stop all trade waste disposal practices which emit particles, gases, vapors malodorous substance including incineration.
		c.	Reduction of heat load demands for processing to a minimum.
4.	Other manufacturing facilities required to submit alert plans by the director.	4a.	Reduction of air contaminant emissions by curtailing or deferring production and allied operations.
		b.	Stop all trade waste disposal practices which emit particles, gases, vapors or malodorous substances including incineration.
		c.	Reduction of heat load demands for processing to a minimum.
5.	Private, public and commercial refuse disposal operations	5a.	Stop all open burning, including disposal of trees and burning at firefighting schools, except as required for disposal of hazardous materials or other emergency needs.
		b.	Operation of incinerators shall be limited to the hours between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
6.	Transportation	6a.	The unnecessary operation of any motor vehicle should be restricted.

 

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(e)

Red alert.

(1)

Red alert procedures shall be initiated by the director if either of the following two sets of conditions exist:

a.

Condition one:

1.

An air stagnation advisory is in effect for all parts of the city; and

2.

The red alert value is equaled or exceeded at any one monitoring station within the area.

b.

Condition two:

1.

The red alert value is equaled or exceeded as the arithmetic mean for 12 consecutive hours, and an air stagnation advisory for the following 24 hours is received; and

2.

The yellow alert value is equaled or exceeded as the arithmetic mean for 24 consecutive hours and a forecast of stagnation for the following 12 hours is received.

(2)

The following red alert procedures shall apply:

a.

Notify the staff director of the state department of natural resources, the chairman and members of the Missouri Air Conservation Commission that red alert conditions exist.

b.

Notify all affected governmental control agencies that red alert conditions exist.

c.

Notify all hospitals within the affected area that red alert conditions exist.

d.

Increase the frequency of air monitoring at all NAMS and SLAMS sampling stations which are not continuous at intervals not exceeding one hour, with continual hourly review at a central control location, if such equipment is available and it is deemed necessary by the director.

e.

Inform the general public through the news media that a red alert exists, of the geographical area or areas where the alert is applicable, of the emission and type of source or sources that initiated the alert, of individual abatement actions which will help alleviate the problem, and encourage those with respiratory ailments or heart conditions to take the most appropriate and expedient precautions.

f.

Airlines operating within the red alert area shall be notified that such conditions exist and that a reduction of flights out of the airport may be required.

g.

Nonlocal vehicular traffic may be diverted around the red alert area depending upon which pollutant or pollutants caused the alert.

h.

Through the news media, local vehicular traffic shall be told to avoid certain areas depending upon which pollutant(s) caused the alert and emphatically told to restrict nonessential trips.

i.

All incineration and open burning shall cease, regardless of location.

j.

Facilities which are sources of air contaminant emissions and are required to file approved alert plans with the director for red alert conditions shall initiate such plans upon notification by the director. See Table III.

k.

The operation of motor boats, lawn mowers, chainsaws and weed trimmers shall not be allowed.

_____

TABLE III
RED ALERT PLAN OBJECTIVES

All yellow alert plans shall be continued. In addition, the following steps shall be taken:

Air Contaminant Source		Requirements for Plan
1.	Process steam generating facilities.	1a.	Maximum reduction of air contaminant emissions by utilization of fuels having the lowest ash and sulfur content.
		b.	Maximum utilization of periods of high atmospheric turbulence (12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.) for soot blowing and boiler lancing.
		c.	Prepare to implement the "emergency" plan submitted to the director.
2.	Manufacture industries of the following (SIC) group designations Paper and Allied Products Industries-Group 26 operations Chemicals and Allied Products Industries-Group 28 Petroleum Refining and Related Industries-Group 29 Stone, Glass, Clay and Concrete Product Industries-Group 32 Primary Metals Industries-Group 33 Grain Industries-Group 20	2a.	Maximum reduction of air contaminant emissions by postponing production and allied operations if necessary.
		b.	Maximum reduction of heat load demands for processing.
		c.	Prepare to implement the "emergency" plan submitted to the director.
3.	Other manufacturing facilities required to submit alert plans by the director.	3a.	Maximum reduction of air contaminant emissions by postponing production and allied operations if necessary.
4.	Private, public and commercial refuse disposal operations.	4a.	Stop operation of all incinerators.
5.	Transportation.	5a.	Car pools and public transportation must be used in place of unnecessary motor vehicle operation.

 

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(f)

Air pollution emergency.

(1)

Emergency procedures shall be initiated by the director if the following conditions are met:

a.

An air stagnation advisory is in effect for all parts of the affected area, and an air pollution emergency values is equaled or exceeded at any one monitoring station within the advisory area;

b.

The air pollution emergency value is equaled or exceeded as the arithmetic mean of 12 consecutive hours and a forecast of stagnation for the following 12 hours is received; or

c.

The red alert is equaled or exceeded as the arithmetic mean for 24 hours and a forecast of stagnation for the following 12 hours is received; or

d.

The yellow alert value is equaled or exceeded as the arithmetic mean for 36 hours and a forecast of stagnation for the following 12 hours is received.

(2)

The following emergency procedures shall apply:

a.

Notify the staff director of the state department of natural resources, the chairman and members of the Missouri Air Conservation Commission that an emergency exists.

b.

Notify all affected governmental control agencies that an emergency exists, and that coordination of action is required.

c.

Notify all hospitals within the affected area that an emergency exists and to be so prepared.

d.

Increase the frequency of air monitoring at NAMS and SLAMS sampling stations which are not continuous at intervals not exceeding one-half hour with continual half-hour review at a central control location if such equipment is available and it is deemed necessary by the director.

e.

Open burning and incineration shall cease throughout the area.

f.

Facilities which are sources of air contaminant emissions and are required to have filed approved plans shall initiate such plans upon notification by the director or his/her representative that air pollution emergency conditions exist. See Table IV.

g.

The use of motor vehicles is prohibited except in emergencies approved by local or state police.

h.

All manufacturing facilities except those referred to in Table IV shall institute such action as will result in maximum reduction of air contaminants from their operations by ceasing, curtailing or postponing operations to the extent possible without causing injury to persons or damage to equipment.

i.

All airplane flights originating within the area of the air pollution emergency shall be canceled.

j.

All places of employment identified as follows shall immediately cease operation during the air pollution emergency.

1.

Mining and quarrying;

2.

Contract construction work;

3.

Wholesale trade establishments;

4.

Schools and libraries;

5.

Governmental agencies except those needed to administer air pollution alert programs and other essential agencies determined by the director to be vital for public safety and welfare and needed to administer the provisions of this section;

6.

Retail trade stores except those dealing primarily in sale of food or pharmacies;

7.

Banks, real estate agencies, insurance offices and similar business;

8.

Laundries, cleaners and dryers, beauty and barber shops and photographic studios;

9.

Amusement and recreational service establishments, such as motion picture theaters;

10.

Automobile repair and automobile service garages; and

11.

Advertising offices, consumer credit reporting, adjustment and collection agencies, printing and duplicating services, rental agencies and commercial testing laboratories.

k.

Inform the general public through the news media and the local emergency planning commission that an emergency alert exists, the geographical area(s) where the alert is applicable, the emission and type of source(s) that initiated the alert, individual abatement actions which will help alleviate the problem and encourage those with respiratory ailments or heart conditions to take the most appropriate and expedient precautions.

_____

TABLE IV
AIR POLLUTION EMERGENCY PLAN OBJECTIVES

All yellow and red alert plans shall be continued. In addition, the following steps shall be taken.

Air Contaminant Source		Requirements for Plan
1.	Process steam generating facilities.	1a.	Maximum reduction of air contaminant emissions by reducing heat and steam load demands to values consistent with preventing equipment damage.
		b.	Maximum utilization of periods of high atmospheric turbulence (12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.) for soot blowing and boiler lancing.
2.	Manufacture industries of the following (SIC) group designations Paper and Allied Products Industries-Group 26 Chemicals and Allied Products Industries-Group 28 Petroleum Refining and Related Industries-Group 29 Stone, Glass, Clay and Concrete Product Industries-Group 32 Primary Metals Industries-Group 33 Grain Industries-Group 20	2a.	Elimination of air contaminant emissions from the manufacturing operations by ceasing, curtailing, postponing or deferring production and allied operations to the extent possible without causing injury to persons or damage to equipment.
3.	Other manufacturing facilities required to submit alert plans by the director.	3a.	Elimination of air contaminant emissions from the manufacturing operations by ceasing, curtailing, postponing or deferring production and allied operations to the extent possible without causing injury to persons or damage to equipment.
		b.	Maximum reduction of heat load demands for processing.
4.	Private, public and commercial operations.	4a.	The following places of employment shall immediately cease operations if notified by the director.
		b.	Mining and quarrying operations;
		c.	Construction projects except as required to avoid emergent physical harm;
		d.	Manufacturing establishments except those required to have in force an air pollution alert plan;
		e.	Wholesale trade establishments;
		f.	Governmental units, except those needed to implement the provisions of this Code and other operations essential to immediate protection of the public, welfare and safety;
		g.	Retail trade and service establishments except for food stores, pharmacies and other similar operations providing for emergency need;
		h.	Other commercial service operations such as those engaged in banking, insurance, real estate, advertising, etc.;
		i.	Schools and libraries;
		j.	Amusement and recreational facilities; and
		k.	Automobile repair and service garages.
5.	Transportation.	5a.	Motor vehicles shall only be used for private and public emergency needs.

 

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(g)

Termination of alerts. When the director determines that meteorological conditions and pollutant concentrations are such to warrant discontinuance of any alert condition, he shall notify the staff director of the state department of natural resources, the chairman and members of the Missouri Air Conservation Commission that the alert has been discontinued and issue a public notice to that effect.

(Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 18.100; Ord. No. 41255, 6-9-72; Ord. No. 56726, 8-2-84; Ord. No. 960782, § A, 8-8-96)