**EPA Method 22 -- Visual Determination of Fugitive Emissions**[^1]

***1. What is Method 22 and what are fugitive emissions?***

-   Method 22 is a simple procedure that uses the human eye to determine
    the total time an industrial activity causes visible emissions.

-   Fugitive emissions are non-stack emissions that escape during
    material transfer, from buildings that contain the process, or
    directly from process equipment. Some examples include dust from
    unpaved roads; dust from grinding, crushing and sandblasting
    operations; and dry material loading or unloading.

-   Some emission standards require that you minimize any visible
    emissions from your process. Method 22 is one method used to make
    sure the process and any emission control equipment are operating
    properly and are not generating excess emissions.

-   Method 22 can also be used for visible emissions from stationary
    sources such as smoke stacks if there is such a requirement in the
    applicable emission standard.

    ***2. What training or certification is required for me to perform
    Method 22 observations?***

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-   No certification is required because it is a simple method that just
    requires you to record the amount of time you see emissions. You do
    not have to be certified to determine the opacity (or density) of
    the emissions so you do not need Method 9 certification.

-   However, you must know and understand the effects of background
    contrast, ambient lighting, and where you should stand to make your
    observation (for example, with respect to lighting, wind, and the
    presence of condensing water vapor). EPA has some general references
    you can read to understand these general procedures for determining
    visible emissions. The basics are having the sun at your back,
    trying for a dark background, not looking into the sun and not
    counting steam plumes. You can also obtain additional training by
    attending the lecture portion of the Method 9 certification course.

    ***3. What equipment do I need?***

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-   You need two stopwatches. They must be the accumulative type and
    must measure to at least ½ of a second.

-   If you make observations inside a building, you will need a light
    meter. The brightness of the lighting must read at least 100 lux or
    10 foot candles on the light meter in order to perform Method 22
    observations inside a building.

    ***4. Where do I stand to look for visible emissions?***

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-   First, find out what processes, stacks, or buildings you need to
    observe based on what the visible emission rule requires for your
    facility. In other words, what pieces of equipment or buildings at
    your plant does the rule say you must observe using Method 22?

-   Walk around the facility, building, or structure that has the
    process you need to observe and find where potential emissions may
    occur.

-   Choose a location with a clear view of the building or operation you
    are supposed to observe. Make sure it is safe - not in the way of
    moving equipment \-- and does not pose any other safety hazard.

-   The method recommends that you stand no closer than 15 feet and no
    farther away than ¼ mile from the source you want to observe.

-   Pick a spot where the sunlight is not shining directly into your
    eyes.

    ***6. What part of the form can I fill out before I start?***

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-   Copies of the forms are attached. Fill in the company name, type of
    industry, the process unit (or building being observed), your name,
    your company's name, and the date.

-   If you are outdoors, record the estimated wind speed, wind
    direction, and sky condition (for example, cloudy, sunny, partly
    cloudy, etc.). Sketch the emission source you are observing and mark
    your location on the sketch relative to the emission source and the
    sun. Show the actual and potential emission points on the sketch.

-   If you are indoors, record the type, location, and intensity of the
    inside lighting. Sketch the process unit you are observing, and mark
    your location on the sketch relative to the unit you are observing.
    Show the actual and potential emission points on the sketch.

    ***7. How long do I have to observe for fugitive emissions?***

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-   Check the rule that applies to your plant and process and find out
    how long you must observe for fugitive emissions (15 minutes to one
    hour is typical).

-   Check for what the rule allows for visible emissions. For example,
    if the rule says emissions must not be visible for more than 6
    minutes in any hour, you may quit after observing 6 minutes of
    emissions before the hour elapses; otherwise, continue observing for
    one hour.

-   In any case, no matter what the applicable rule lists as the visible
    emission requirement, the observation period must not be less than a
    total of 6 minutes.

    ***8. How do I make the observations and measure and record the
    time?***

-   Record the clock time on the form when you begin.

-   Use one stopwatch (SW1) to time the entire observation period. Stop
    it if you take a break (see #10 below) or the process stops
    operating. Restart it without resetting it when you begin your
    observations again. When this stopwatch indicates you have finished
    the observation period that the rule specifies, such as one hour,
    stop the stopwatch and record the accumulated time and the clock
    time.

-   During the observation period, continuously watch the source, and if
    you see any emissions, start the second stopwatch (SW2) and then
    stop it when the emissions stop. Restart it without resetting it if
    emissions occur again, and stop it if the emissions stop. Continue
    doing this throughout the observation period.

-   Remember that steam and other forms of condensed water vapor are not
    emissions and are not a reason to start the stopwatch.

-   When the observation period is over, record the total time on the
    second stopwatch, which is the total time that emissions were
    visible.

    ***9. What do I do if emissions from other sources interfere or mix
    with those from the operation I am supposed to be observing?***

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-   Sometimes fugitive emissions from another source, such as dust blown
    by wind or from vehicle traffic, may keep you from getting a clear
    view or make it hard to see if fugitive emissions are occurring from
    the source.

-   When other emissions interfere, stop making your observations and
    make a note of this on your form. Begin observing again when there
    is a clear view.

    ***10. When should I take a break?***

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-   You should not continuously observe emissions for more than 15 to 20
    minutes without taking a rest break. If you have to observe for more
    than 20 consecutive minutes, you **[must]{.underline}** take a break
    of 5 to 10 minutes. To do this, once you have been observing for
    fifteen minutes, finish timing any visible emissions currently in
    progress, stop both stopwatches, and note each of their times and
    the clock time. Then, take your break. Before resuming further
    observations, record the clock time and start the accumulative time
    stop watch. Continue to observe as before

-   If the rule requires continuous observations for more than 20
    minutes, you must get another observer to help you make the
    observations. However, this is not common.

***11. How do I calculate emissions in percent if my rule requires
that?***

If your rule requires that the emission rate be expressed as an emission
frequency in percent:

-   Divide the accumulated emission time (in seconds) by the duration of
    the observation period (in seconds), and multiply this quotient by
    100.

-   For example, if a person observes a process for a total observation
    period of 20 minutes (1200 seconds), and sees fugitive dust for 5
    minutes (300 seconds), then calculate the percentage as follows:

> (300 seconds of fugitive emissions/1200 seconds of observation) X 100
> = 25%

***12. Where can I find the general references mentioned earlier?***

-   A reference cited in Method 22 that is available online:

> Wohlschlegel, P., and D.E. Wagoner. *Guideline for Development of a
> Quality Assurance Program: Volume IX---Visual Determination of Opacity
> Emissions from Stationary Sources.* EPA Publication No.
> EPA--650/4--74--005i. November 1975.

-   Go to this website: <http://www.epa.gov/nscep/> and select "Document
    Number" under "Search the Collection." Then select "600 Series" and
    scroll down until you see this document and select it: "650474005I
    Guidelines For Development Of A Quality Assurance Program, Volume IX
    Visual Determination Of Opacity Emissions From Stationary Source."

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 30%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 10%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 21%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 23%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="10">FUGITIVE OR SMOKE EMISSION INSPECTION</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="10">OUTDOOR LOCATION</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="5">Company</td>
<td colspan="5">Observer</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="5">Location</td>
<td colspan="5">Affiliation</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="5">Company Rep.</td>
<td colspan="5">Date</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="5">Sky Conditions</td>
<td colspan="5">Wind Direction</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="5">Precipitation</td>
<td colspan="5">Wind Speed</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="5">Industry</td>
<td colspan="5">Process Unit</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="10">Sketch process unit: indicate observer position
relative to source; indicate potential emission points and/or actual
emission points.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="8"> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">OBSERVATIONS</td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td>Observation</td>
<td></td>
<td>Accumulated</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td>Clock</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td>period</td>
<td></td>
<td>emission</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td>Time</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td>duration,</td>
<td></td>
<td>time,</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">Begin</td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td>minutes:seconds</td>
<td></td>
<td>minutes:seconds</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">Observation</td>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td rowspan="7"><blockquote>
<p>To complete this form, record the following:</p>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><p>the initial clock time</p></li>
<li><p>the total time of the observation (from SW1)</p></li>
<li><p>the total time of emissions (from SW2), and</p></li>
<li><p>the final clock time.</p></li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p>For more details on recording this data and taking breaks, see #7 and
#10 above.</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td rowspan="7"></td>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">End</td>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">Observation</td>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 30%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 10%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 21%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 23%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="10">FUGITIVE OR SMOKE EMISSION INSPECTION</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="10">INDOOR LOCATION</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Company</td>
<td colspan="4">Observer</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">Location</td>
<td colspan="4">Affiliation</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Company Rep.</td>
<td colspan="4">Date</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">Precipitation</td>
<td colspan="4">Wind Speed</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Industry</td>
<td colspan="4">Process Unit</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">Light type (fluorescent, incandescent, natural)</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Light location (overhead, behind observer, etc.)</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">Illuminance (must be greater than or equal to100 lux or
10 foot candles)</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="10">Sketch process unit: indicate observer position
relative to source; indicate potential emission points and/or actual
emission points.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="8"> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">OBSERVATIONS</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td></td>
<td>Observation</td>
<td></td>
<td>Accumulated</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2">Clock</td>
<td></td>
<td>period</td>
<td></td>
<td>emission</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2">Time</td>
<td></td>
<td>duration,</td>
<td></td>
<td>time,</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">Begin</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td></td>
<td>minutes:seconds</td>
<td></td>
<td>minutes:seconds</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">Observation</td>
<td colspan="2"> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td rowspan="7"><blockquote>
<p>To complete this form, record the following:</p>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><p>the initial clock time</p></li>
<li><p>the total time of the observation (from SW1)</p></li>
<li><p>the total time of emissions (from SW2), and</p></li>
<li><p>the final clock time.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>For more details on recording this data and taking breaks, see #7 and
#10 above.</p></td>
<td colspan="2" rowspan="7"></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">End</td>
<td colspan="2"> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">Observation</td>
<td colspan="2"> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td></td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2"> </td>
<td colspan="2"> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

[^1]: This is only a summary and not the official Method 22. You can
    find Method 22 at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/promgate/m-22.pdf