Division of Air Quality

Air Toxics, Lead, and Asbestos Section (ATLAS)

The Air Toxics, Lead, and Asbestos Section (ATLAS) works to protect public health and the environment from harmful air pollutants, lead-based paint hazards, and asbestos exposure. We achieve this through permitting, inspections, and enforcement of state and federal regulations.

Air Toxics

Toxic air pollutants, also known as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), are those pollutants that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects or adverse environmental effects. The EPA is working with state, local, and tribal governments to reduce air toxics releases of 188 pollutants to the environment. Examples of toxic air pollutants include benzene, which is found in gasoline; perchlorethlyene, which is emitted from some dry cleaning facilities; and methylene chloride, which is used as a solvent and paint stripper by a number of industries. Examples of other listed air toxics include dioxin, asbestos, toluene, and metals such as cadmium, mercury, chromium and lead compounds.

Asbestos

In Utah, the Division of Air Quality enforces the federal Asbestos NESHAP rule (40 CFR 61 Subpart M) and the Utah Asbestos Rule (UAC R307-801). Since asbestos is recognized as a hazardous substance linked to asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer, the EPA promulgated the Asbestos NESHAP rule to control emission of asbestos fibers to the ambient air. The federal and state rules have specific requirements that apply to renovation and demolition activities at affected facilities. Rule requirements may apply to facilities including institutional, commercial, public, industrial or residential structures, installations, or buildings. The Division of Air Quality also enforces the federal AHERA rule (40 CFR 763 Subpart E) which applies to not for profit K-12 public and private schools.

Lead and Lead-Based Paint

In Utah, the ATLAS section of the Division of Air Quality is responsible for developing and implementing lead certification and abatement regulations for child-occupied facilities and target housing, as mandated by state statute (R307-840). Specifically, the rules will govern the inspection and assessment of lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards, lead-contaminated soil and lead contaminated dust, and establish requirements and standards for the abatement of lead-based paint hazards.

Contacts

Utah Division of Air Quality
195 North 1950 West
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116

Phone: (801) 536-4000
Fax: (801) 536-4099