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Environmental Toxicology pp 17–34Cite as

Airborne Toxic Chemicals

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Abstract

“Air toxics” is a term that is often used colloquially, but for the purposes of this article it will be used following the specific definition set forth by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Toxic (or Hazardous) air pollutants are those pollutants that are known or suspected of causing cancer or other serious health effects [1]. Air toxics are defined by the Clean Air Act, which explains what pollutants qualify, how different sources are categorized, and how they are to be regulated [2].

This chapter was originally published as part of the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology edited by Robert A. Meyers. DOI:10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3

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Abbreviations

Air toxic:

Substances that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects. Also known as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPS).

Anthropogenic source:

A source of air toxics created by human beings.

Area source:

A single source of pollutant that emits less that 10 t per year of one air toxic, or less than 25 t per year of any combination of air toxics.

MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology):

Standard that dictates emission limits of a source is set by the best performing 12% of similar sources, if more than 30 similar sources exist nationally. If less than 30 exist, the best five are used to set the standard.

Major source:

A single source of pollutant that emits 10 t per year or more of one air toxic, or 25 t per year or more of any combination of air toxics.

Mobile source:

A source of air toxics that moves (such as a car, truck, airplane, or boat).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, The University of South Carolina, 709 Bull Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA

    April Hiscox

  2. Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, 800 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA

    Mark Macauda

Authors
  1. April Hiscox
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  2. Mark Macauda
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to April Hiscox or Mark Macauda .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , School of the Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 70803, Louisiana, USA

    Edward A. Laws

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Hiscox, A., Macauda, M. (2013). Airborne Toxic Chemicals. In: Laws, E. (eds) Environmental Toxicology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5764-0_2

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