How do asphalt plants affect air quality?

Air emissions are created at several stages during asphalt production. Most of the emissions come from an asphalt plant's main stack. Fumes from asphalt storage and loading areas account for the remaining air emissions, collectively referred to as fugitive emissions. Asphalt production, like any process in which materials are heated or burned, can produce a range of air emissions. Many of these same compounds are emitted by cars and trucks, fireplaces and wood stoves, wildfires, and other industries. While some of these emissions potentially can be unhealthy to breathe, such problems can be prevented by requiring asphalt plants to install controls or take other measures that reduce their emissions of harmful air pollutants. That is the guiding principle behind the state air quality rules, which set stringent limits for a range of pollutants based on their known health effects. In addition, the Division of Air Quality (DAQ) plans to re-examine its permitting procedures pending the ...  more