Airzone Winter 2014 Newsletter

The MOE Proposes to Amend Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) Application Requirements

EASR?s, introduced in 2012, were intended to replace complex Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECA’s) for contaminant emissions (e.g., air and noise) for activities such as comfort heating systems, emergency generators and automotive refinishing. Since then the MOE has expanded the EASR’s to include printing, solar power and waste management facilities.

EASR?s require registering the activity only, reducing the need for detailed assessments, although any EASR must abide by certain operating requirements as set forth in the reg’s.

However, soon after their introduction, apparent overlaps between EASR and ECA requirements caused significant confusion in many cases and unnecessary duplication of ECA?s. The MOE have proposed to more clearly differentiate the two applications. Facilities which have only EASR-eligible activities will be eligible for EASR permit application; however, sites that are more complex, and have non- EASR eligible activities, will require an ECA for all activities at the site, even if some of them were otherwise EASR-eligible. In addition, the MOE proposes to make school dust collection systems and fume hoods as well as indoor arc-welding EASR-eligible.

Although these changes may be implemented in the near future, they are not currently in place.

For help with EASR’s contact Farida Dehghan Ph.D., P.Eng. at ext. 110, or fdehghan[at]airzoneone.com.

New Air Quality Standards, Assessment Methods & Requirements

In February 2014 many industrial facilities became subject to new air quality standards (Schedule 3 standards) under Ontario Reg. 419. This reg. governs the air quality assessments that proponents need to submit to the MOE for emissions permits.

Also, new assessment dispersion models are required (U.S. EPA SCREEN3 and AERMOD). In addition, facilities that are now subject to these requirements (Pulp, Paper & Paperboard Mills, Chemical Manufacturing, Urethane & Other Foam Product Manufacturing, Primary Metal Manufacturing, Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing, Transportation Equipment Manufacturing & Waste Treatment & Disposal) must update air assessment reports (aka ?ESDM?) annually.

If you need help with the new permitting requirements contact Dr. Nicole Shantz at ext. 109, or fdehghan[at]airzoneone.com.

Soil Vapour Intrusion Assessment Guidance

Where soils are contaminated with substances with high vapour pressures (e.g., gasoline, diesel, cleaning solvents, etc.), and those contaminants spread to under buildings, such as residences, vapours can permeate indoors. This can lead to unacceptable exposures to the substances for building occupants (residents or workers).

The MOE posted a draft Technical Guidance document on methods for vapour intrusion evaluation. The comment period on the document ended in November 2013.

If you need help with vapour intrusion assessments contact Ryan Dignard at ext. 103, or rdignard[at]airzoneone.com.

Federal-Provincial Air Quality Management System

The federal, provincial and territorial governments have developed an air quality management system (AQMS) intended to be applied (i) across Canada in a consistent manner, and, (ii) on an ?airshed? basis that identifies the multiple sources of air pollutants.

The system includes new (non-binding) Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS), allowance for provinces to define ?airzones? for air quality management, and emission limits for certain industrial sectors. The system will focus on ozone and fine particulate matter (aka ?PM2.5?) to begin with but will consider NO2 and SO2 next.

While at present industry will be directly affected only by the emission limits, there may be future requirements indirectly applied by provincial or territorial governments in their quest to meet CAAQS.

If you need help with AQMS requirements contact Dr. Lucas Neil at ext. 111, or lneil[at]airzoneone.com.

Vinyl Chloride Release Regulations, 1992

This federal regulation requires owners and operators of vinyl chloride plants to limit release from any process vent of vinyl chloride in excess of both 10 ppm and 2 kg per day. Further requirements refer to the allowable activity-based release of vinyl chloride from specific processes.

Quarterly reports must be submitted on amounts released based on emissions measurements.? Fugitive emissions are to be controlled according to the Code of Good Operating Practice for Vinyl Chloride and Polyvinyl Chloride Manufacturing Operations and the operator must develop a plan to help prevent accidental releases.? Administrative amendments to this reg. were proposed in 2004.

If you need help with the vinyl chloride regulations contact Dr. Nicole Shantz at ext. 109, or fdehghan[at]airzoneone.com.

Airzone News

This is a small sample of the work we have recently completed, or will complete in the near future.

  • In late 2013 we completed over 40 TRA plans for clients; all were delivered by the due date of 31st December.
  • We were retained to assess possible mould infestation in a hotel locally and we are also conducting a similar mould assessment for a hotel in South America.
  • Airzone conducted a mould assessment for an office building in downtown Toronto after remediation was required due to the summer 2013 flooding.
  • This spring we will be auditing air emission (dust) measurements from a mining operation in Ontario.
  • Airzone assisted with the installation of air monitoring equipment for new mining operations in Greenland.
  • We conducted an assessment of employee exposures to various volatile contaminants in Health Sciences laboratories.
  • We conducted an assessment of hydrogen gas emissions from forklift battery charging stations.
  • Airzone conducted an employee exposure assessment to hexavalent chrome emissions from welding operations.

For business development opportunities contact Phil Fellin ext. 105 or Christian Fellin ext. 113.


The laboratory is accredited by CALA to ISO/IEC 17025 for specific tests on the scope of accreditation.