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Air Toxics Program

an artist's rendition of a chemical compound
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Air Toxics Program

Contact

Brian Hughes, Air Quality Division
HughesB8@Michigan.gov
517-648-7353

For Screening Lists and Justifications:

Doreen Lehner, Air Quality Division
LehnerD@Michigan.gov
517-582-3779

The Air Quality Division (AQD) regulates sources of air pollutants to protect human health. AQD's Toxicologists develop health-based screening levels for toxic air contaminants (TACs). Health-based screening levels are used in air permitting under the Permits to Install regulatory program for the assessment of TAC emissions. Under Michigan's air rules, the amount of TAC emissions cannot result in impacts more than the screening levels.

What are Toxic Air Contaminants (TACs)?

A TAC is any air contaminant except pollutants with National Ambient Air Quality Standards and pollutants exempt from the TAC definition as defined in Part 1 Rule 120(f). During air permitting, permit engineers and toxicologists work together to ensure releases of TACs meet any screening levels that apply.

Looking at Exposure Risk

Normally, people are exposed to many chemicals from different sources every day in food, water, soil, and air -- both man-made and naturally occurring.  For example:

 

  • Ingestion of naturally occurring chemicals in food and food additives
  • Inhalation of emissions from cars, wildfires, and industrial sources
  • Drinking water containing natural minerals and by-products from disinfection
  • Chemicals from soil that volatilize (become vapors)
  • Dermal or skin exposure from pesticides via application or residues on vegetation

TACs are one part of looking at risk. Exposure to chemicals is often linked with some level of risk of adverse effects on health, including problems such as lung irritation and lung disease, as well as cancer. The body can generally remove harmful chemicals, but sometimes the body may not be able to get rid of a chemical before it causes harm. As the amount of chemicals a person is exposed to increases, so does the likelihood of harm.

AQD Meeting with the public
Picture of a factory with smoke stacks

Michigan Air Toxics Rules Overview

an artist's rendition of a chemical compound