Sec. 26.11.06.03. Particulate Matter

A. Calculations. All calculations of particulate matter emissions shall be made in terms of grains per standard cubic foot (milligrams per standard cubic meter) of dry exhaust gas (gr/SCFD) (mg/dscm).

B. Particulate Matter from Confined Sources.

(1) Areas I, II, V and VI.

(a) Installations Constructed On or After January 17, 1972. A person may not cause or permit particulate matter to be discharged from any installation constructed on or after January 17, 1972 in excess of 0.05 gr/SCFD (115 mg/dscm).

(b) Installations Constructed Before January 17, 1972.

(i) A person may not cause or permit particulate matter to be discharged from any installation constructed before January 17, 1972 in excess of the values determined from Table 1. When the process weight per hour falls between two values in the table, the maximum weight discharged per hour shall be determined by linear interpolation. When the process weight exceeds 60,000 pounds (27,200 kilograms) per hour, the maximum allowable weight discharged per hour will be determined by use of the following equation:

E = 55.0 P0.11-40	E = 11.79 P0.11-18.14
E = Maximum weight discharged per hour (lbs)	E = maximum weight discharged per hour (kg)
P = process weight in tons per hour	P = process weight in kilograms per hour

(ii) For those processes in which the process weight per hour exceeds 60,000 pounds (27,200 kilograms), the maximum allowable weight of particulate matter discharged per hour may exceed that calculated by the above equation provided that the concentration of particulate matter in the gases discharged to the atmosphere is less than 0.05 gr/SCFD (115 mg/dscm).

(c) Exception. For any premises for which the Department determines that compliance with §B(1)(a) will cause or exacerbate a violation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards or Federal Prevention of Significant Deterioration increments, the applicable emission standard is 0.03 gr/SCFD (68.7 mg/dscm).

(2) Areas III and IV.

(a) A person may not cause or permit to be discharged into the outdoor atmosphere from any other installation, particulate matter in excess of 0.03 gr/SCFD (68.7 mg/dscm).

(b) Exceptions. Section B(2)(a) does not apply to the following:

(i) Iron and steel production installations;

(ii) Glass melting furnaces in compliance with COMAR 26.11.25.

C. Particulate Matter from Unconfined Sources.

(1) A person may not cause or permit emissions from an unconfined source without taking reasonable precautions to prevent particulate matter from becoming airborne. These reasonable precautions shall include, when appropriate as determined by the Department, the installation and use of hoods, fans, and dust collectors to enclose, capture, and vent emissions. In making this determination, the Department shall consider technological feasibility, practicality, economic impact, and the environmental consequences of the decision.

(2) Exceptions. The following are exempt from the provisions of §C(1):

(a) Iron and steel production installations which are subject to COMAR 26.11.10.04B and C;

(b) Grain drying and grain handling installations;

(c) Batch-type hot-dip galvanizing installations which are subject to COMAR 26.11.12.

D. Particulate Matter from Materials Handling and Construction. A person may not cause or permit any material to be handled, transported, or stored, or a building, its appurtenances, or a road to be used, constructed, altered, repaired, or demolished without taking reasonable precautions to prevent particulate matter from becoming airborne. These reasonable precautions shall include, but not be limited to, the following when appropriate as determined by the control officer:

(1) Use of water or chemicals for control of dust in the demolition of existing buildings or structures, construction operations, the grading of roads, or the clearing of land.

(2) Application of asphalt, oil, water, or suitable chemicals on dirt roads, materials stockpiles, and other surfaces which can create airborne dusts.

(3) Installation and use of hoods, fans, and dust collectors to enclose and vent the handling of dusty materials. Adequate containment methods shall be employed during sandblasting of buildings or other similar operations.

(4) Covering, at all times when in motion, open-bodied vehicles transporting materials likely to create air pollution. Alternate means may be employed to achieve the same results as would covering the vehicles.

(5) The paving of roadways and their maintenance in clean condition.

(6) The prompt removal from paved streets of earth or other material which has been transported there by trucks or earth moving equipment or erosion by water.