The Environmental Protection Agency ( Epa ) - 1470 Words

We live in a world where synthetic chemicals are routinely used for the production of essential components of modern life. As more research emerges correlations are made, chemicals are tested, and toxicants are identified, reengineered, and replaced with others equal in cause but unequal in effect. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the national authority tasked with this dynamic approach. The EPA defines hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) as â€Å"pollutants that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects, such as†¦ damage to the immune system, as well as neurological, reproductive†¦ developmental, respiratory and other health problems† (About Air Toxics, 2015). Potential sources range from volcanic eruptions†¦show more content†¦Fugitive emissions include equipment leaks, evaporative losses from surface impoundments and spills, and releases from building ventilation systems† (Release Reports, 2015). Point Source air emissions, also called stack air are emissions that â€Å"occur through confined air streams such as stack, vent, ducts, or pipes† (Release Reports, 2015). This paper will hereafter discuss HAPs in Boulder, Colorado where I was born. Boulder County is home to an estimated 313,333 people with a median age of 28.7. Furthermore, 5% of people are below age 5, 20.3% are below age 18, and 12.2% of people are 65 or older. There are 405.6 people per square mile but that number jumps to 3987.4 in city limits. 90.8% of the population is white. 2.42 people on average occupy any given home, the median household income is $67,956 and 14.2% of people are living below poverty. Lastly, 11.23% of people are uninsured (State and County Quick Facts, 2015). Boulder is over 5300 feet above sea level with an arid, sunny climate. The Rocky Mountains provide a backdrop that beckons residents to explore either by skiing, biking, hiking, kayaking, fishing, or more. Toluene is the seventh largest fug itive air emission in the greater Denver area. In 2014 the EPA estimated that 22,906 pounds were released not through a confined air stream, and an additional 65,805 pounds were released through a confined