If you have old seat cushions, consider removing them and simply reupholstering the cushion. All you need is some new fabric and a staple gun. Then, remove the current material or keep it on if it’s thin. Next, fix the new fabric around the cushion and secure it with the staple gun. You’ll be left with a brand-new look that barely costs anything.
Clean Air Act (CAA) Compliance Monitoring
EPA works with its federal, state and tribal regulatory partners to monitor and ensure compliance with clean air laws and regulations in order to protect human health and the environment. The Clean Air Act is the primary federal law governing air pollution.
- Compliance Monitoring Strategy
- Major Program Areas for Compliance Monitoring under the Clean Air Act
- Acid Rain Inspection and Trading Program
- Applicability Determination Index (ADI)
- Asbestos Demolition and Renovation
- Mobile Sources
- National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Air Toxics
- New Source Review/Prevention of Significant Deterioration (NSR/PSD)
- Prevention of Accidental Releases
- Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources
- Stratospheric Ozone Protection including chlorofluorocarbon (CFSs) and other Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)
- Wood Heaters
Compliance Monitoring Strategy
EPA’s CAA Stationary Source Compliance Monitoring Strategy (CMS) provides guidance to EPA and authorized states with respect to administering and implementing an Agency program for CAA compliance monitoring.
EPA and authorized states make decisions about compliance monitoring based on:
- implementing an EPA or state plan, or
- “for cause” – that is:
- as a result of tips complaints, or
- as a follow-up to previous monitoring activities.
Major Program Areas for Compliance Monitoring Under the Clean Air Act
EPA monitors compliance of regulated operations (facilities, activities, and entities) pursuant to CAA in several major program areas:
ContentsAcid Rain Inspection and Trading Program
The goal of the program is to achieve significant environmental and public health benefits through reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), the primary causes of acid rain. To achieve this goal at the lowest cost to society, the program employs both traditional and innovative, market-based approaches for controlling air pollution. In addition, the program encourages energy efficiency and pollution prevention.
Applicability Determination Index (ADI)
The general provisions of 40 CFR Parts 60 and 61 allow a source owner or operator to:
- request a determination of whether a rule applies to them (applicability determinations); or
- seek permission to use monitoring or record keeping which is different from the promulgated standards (alternative monitoring).
To ensure national consistency in implementing the NSPS and NESHAP programs, EPA maintains a compilation of such letters and memoranda since they were first issued. This compilation is currently available on the Applicability Determination Index (ADI) database Web site. The ADI also contains “regulatory interpretations” which are written responses that apply to the broad range of NSPS and NESHAP regulatory requirements as they pertain to a whole source category. The ADI is a computerized database which allows users to search by date, office of issuance, subpart, citation, control number, or keyword searches.
Asbestos Demolition and Renovation
The Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) program focuses on renovation and demolition activities and waste disposal sites. It applies to asbestos generation during mining, manufacturing/fabricating, renovation and demolition and waste disposal.
EPA, state and local air program inspectors inspect renovation and demolition sites to determine compliance with the Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
Mobile Sources
EPA’s Clean Air Act Mobile Sources Program promulgates emissions standards for virtually all motor vehicle and non-road vehicles and equipment and the fuels that are used in them. The mobile source standards apply to vehicles and engines, ranging from huge engines that power large marine vessels and locomotives, to small engines used in hand-held lawn and garden equipment. The fuels standards apply to all gasoline and diesel fuel used nationwide, including fuel that is produced at domestic refineries and fuel that is imported.
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Air Toxics
Section 112 of the CAA requires the EPA to establish, among other things, standards for emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) for specific source categories. These standards require the maximum degree of reduction of HAPs at the time the standard is established, commonly referred to as “maximum achievable control technology” or “MACT.” The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are found in 40 CFR Parts 61 and 63. The NESHAPS apply to both new and existing sources at the time that EPA establishes the standards. This applicability is somewhat different from NSR and NSPS for existing units, which is dependent on an action in the future.
New Source Review/Prevention of Significant Deterioration (NSR/PSD)
Sections 165 and 173 of the CAA and their implementing regulations require new or modified major sources that increase regulated air pollutants by designated thresholds to meet specific permitting requirements and install Best Available Control Technology (BACT) or Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER) technology. Affected sources must also demonstrate that operation will not cause or contribute to a violation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These controls are “technology-forcing” in that the best controls keep improving, so what represents BACT/LAER today may not be BACT/LAER in the future.
- See NSR/PSD Enforcement
Prevention of Accidental Releases
Section 112(r) of the CAA also imposes a general duty on owners and operators of stationary sources producing, processing and storing extremely hazardous substances to:
- identify hazards associated with an accidental release,
- design and maintain a safe facility, and
- minimize consequences of accidental releases that occur.
Section 112(r) requires EPA to establish regulations to prevent the accidental release of HAPs .
- See Clean Air Act Section 112(r): Accidental Release Prevention / Risk Management Plan Rule Fact Sheet
Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources
Section 111 of the CAA requires the EPA to develop Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources which apply specific technology or limits to categories of stationary sources that cause or contribute significantly to air pollution. These standards are referred to as New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). The NSPS apply to new, modified, or reconstructed affected facilities in specific source categories such as manufacturers of glass, cement, rubber tires and wool fiberglass. As of 2012, EPA had developed 94 NSPS. EPA can delegate the responsibility to implement and enforce the NSPS (or a subset) to its partners (states, local, territorial, or tribal), however, even when delegated to the states, EPA retains authority to implement and enforce the NSPS.
Stratospheric Ozone Protection including chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) and other Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)
The CAA Section 601-618, requires EPA to develop programs that protect the stratospheric ozone layer. The stratosphere, or “good” ozone layer, extends upward from about 6 to 30 miles and protects life on Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. This natural shield has been gradually depleted by man-made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). A depleted ozone shield allows more UV radiation to reach the ground, leading to more cases of skin cancer, cataracts, and other health and environmental problems. EPA’s regulatory programs that protect the ozone layer include:
- phase-out of the production and import of ozone-depleting substances,
- requirements for the service and disposal of stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning,
- service of motor vehicle air-conditioning, and
- labeling of products containing or manufactured with ozone depleting substances.
Wood Heaters
Residential wood heaters, which include wood stoves, contribute significantly to particulate air pollution. EPA has regulated wood heater particulate emissions since 1988. Wood heater model lines that are in compliance with the rule are referred to as EPA-certified wood heaters.
EPA’s certification process requires manufacturers to verify that each of their wood heater model lines meet a specific particulate emission limit by undergoing emission testing at an EPA accredited laboratory.
Spray Paint Your Wood Furniture
Yes, you can spray paint your wood garden furniture. Not only is this an easy way to refresh the look of your outdoor space by adding a pop of color or depth, but it’s easy and relatively inexpensive. Metal outdoor furniture can also be spray painted to create a new look.
- Purchase aerosol spray paint in your desired shade
- Prepare an area to lay your furniture on.
- Spray the wood with a bonding primer first. We recommend flipping the furniture on its top so you can spray the bottom first.
- Make long, consistent passes while pressing down on the nozzle. Do not start or stop in the middle of the furniture because this can lead to drips or uneven marks.
- Apply at least two coats for an even, rich finish.
We recommend spray painting your furniture outside on a day with minimal wind for the best results. Take proper safety precautions, like wearing a mask and goggles while using spray paint or other chemicals on your furniture.
Scrub and Wash Your Wood Furniture
A good cleaning can improve the appearance of just about every piece of furniture, especially if you have a lot of buildup or bird droppings currently marring the look of your furniture.
Clean outdoor wood furniture lightly with a damp cloth and mild soapy solution or warm water. If the piece requires deeper cleaning, scrub with a soft scrub brush or toothbrush and mix of water and dishwasher detergent. Always scrub in the same direction as the wood grain. If you have any challenging stains, you can lightly sand and rinse the surface until they disappear. Wipe away all excess water.
Exterior wood cleaners are also available for cleaning wood and may help with stubborn stains. These spray bottle cleaners open the pores of the wood so that the wood can accept stains better and will help remove gray weathering.
Today’s Homeowner Tips
Never use a power washer on your wood furniture. Power and pressure washers can remove the soft wood between your furniture’s grain lines, forcing water into pores. Only use the power washer to strip the wood, never to clean it.
Consider the Type of Wood
When cleaning your outdoor furniture, consider the type of wood. Hardwoods, like oak or teak, are scratch-resistant, so you can clean these more aggressively. However, softer wood, like pine or cedar, should be cleaned cautiously.
Never scrub perpendicular across the wood, only along the grain lines. Clean each part of the legs, arms, or furniture parts individually so you don’t cross-grain scratch.
