COLLEGE STATION – Whether they work for the government or private industry, air quality regulators can receive the most up-to-date research-based training through a new workshop program at the Center for Agricultural Air Quality Engineering and Science at College Station.
Air pollution in Texas is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which is staffed with engineers who grant permits to industries based on their potential to emit pollutants, said Russell McGee, the Center’s program coordinator.
To remain proficient in their profession, engineers are required to receive periodic training, McGee said.
“To ensure that the training they receive is relevant and up to date, the TCEQ has asked The Center for Agricultural Air Quality Engineering and Science to provide the instruction based on their current research efforts in air quality,” he said.
The center is part of Texas AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Extension Service and conducts research in the area of air quality issues related to agricultural operations such as cattle feedyards, dairies, cotton gins, grain elevators and field operations, McGee said.
The center also offers short courses, workshops and custom training for any agency or industry group, he said, and more information can be found at www.caaqes.tamu.edu .
The first short course was conducted in Austin on Aug. 12-14, McGee said. During that three-day program, 21 engineers and permitting personnel received in-depth instruction associated with air quality engineering.
The short course covers the air pollution regulatory process and conducts several practical applications to relate the classroom material to real-world air quality issues, McGee said.
Designed to be a refresher course for engineers and for those working in engineering fields, the course was developed primarily as a review of the essential elements of air quality engineering, he said.
“The course starts off with a basic review of science and engineering principles,” McGee said. “Every attendee was challenged because this knowledge and these skills are perishable and need to be exercised periodically. We accomplish that during our course.”
Topics covered include the Federal Clean Air Act, National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and all criteria pollutants and their abatement methods, he said.
McGee said instructors focus on basic science and engineering, sample calculations for engineers, and real world application.
Attendees gain “hands-on” experience by participating in class discussions, working engineering calculations, analyzing recent case studies, and completing worksheets and exams covering each topic, said Dr. Calvin Parnell, director of the air quality center.
The fast-paced course covers emissions of particulate matter, ammonia, odors and reactive volatile organic compounds, many of which are precursors to ozone formation, Parnell said.
This course can be tailored to fit the needs and time schedule of different groups, he said. While it is best done over several days, it can be condensed to several hours.
Instructors are professors from the department of biological and agricultural engineering at Texas A&M University.
Besides classroom instruction, there are panel discussions addressing current issues in air quality, the advent of biofuels and the impact of possible legislation on the control of greenhouse gas emissions, he said.
Attendees are furnished with Air Pollution Control textbooks, courseware including recent research and articles, refreshments and a completion certificate. -30-