A Source-Control-Problem Strategy

Pohution prevention techniques must be evaluated through a thorough consideration of ah media, hence the term multimedia. This approach is a clear departure from previous pollution treatment or control techniques where it was acceptable to transfer a pollutant from one source to another in order to solve a waste problem. Such strategies merely provide short-term solutions to an ever increasing problem. As an example, air pollution control equipment prevents or reduces the discharge of waste into the air but at the same time can produce a solid (hazardous) waste problem. 

In 1970, new efforts were underway to solve Portland s suspended particulate problem. Early efforts relied on available emission factors and industrial source testing, as a basis for the emission Inventory. The inventory was then used, with a proportional rollback model, as a basis for the new strategy. New industrial controls were Installed which resulted in a 60,000 tons per year region-wide reduction in industrial emissions. Although progress toward cleaner air was made, air quality standard violations caused by then unknown sources continued and modeling efforts failed to account for over one-half of the particulate mass. 

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