Emission Inventory Development 

An emissions inventory is a database that lists, by source, the amount of air pollutants discharged into the atmosphere by a company during a given period of time.
 
The development of a complete emission inventory is an important step in an air quality management process. Emission inventories are used to help determine:
  • Significant sources of air pollutants
  • Establish emission trends over time
  • Target regulatory actions
  • Estimate air quality through computer dispersion modelling
 
The emission estimation procedure largely depends on the:
  • Type of emission
  • Availability and the cost for data collection
  • Degree of accuracy required
  • Intention of the end-user
 
Ideally, site specific, continuous monitoring data should be used in emission estimation efforts. If unavailable, EHRCON makes use of three principle methods for estimating emissions:
  • Source tests
  • Material balances
  • Emission factors