In March of 1999, South Coast AQMD’s Area Sources group was established with the purpose of designing and testing non-traditional approaches to further reduce emissions from area sources. The Office of Compliance and Enforcement, Area Sources unit is responsible for compliance inspections and implementation of methods to reduce emissions from basin-wide sources.

Unlike a point source such as a gas station or factory that has an operating permit that is directly related to a particular operation or piece of equipment, an area source can be consumer products including, but not limited to house paints, solvents, adhesives and sealers that can emit volatile organic compounds (VOC). Inspectors may use nontraditional approaches for additional emission reductions through enforcement of VOC, NOx, mobile source, PM and greenhouse gases (GHG) rules. Besides consumer products, other area sources of pollution include NOx created by combustion in the operation of space and water heaters, or GHGs from operation of refrigeration or air conditioning systems. Additionally, other sources of area-wide pollution occur due to the operation of fireplaces, or open burning of vegetation from agricultural crops.

There are many facets of everyday life that contribute to the air pollution problems in the South Coast Air Basin including the use of consumer products and sources that are used daily to heat and cool our homes, and the burning of wood in our fireplaces and outdoor firepits. These areawide sources of pollution are what South Coast AQMD’s Area Sources group continually works on to ensure that the products that contribute to pollution meet the requirements set forth in the rules and regulations that apply to the South Coast Air Basin, so that all residents have a cleaner and healthier environment overall.