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IDEM > Compliance > Air Compliance > Air Compliance Assistance Air Compliance Assistance

Stage II Vapor Recovery Description

Stage II Vapor Recovery is the system used to control releases of gasoline vapors when motor vehicles are refueled. A specially designed fuel nozzle is used at the gasoline pump to collect vapors from vehicles' gasoline tank. The collected vapors are either returned to the gasoline station's underground storage tank or combusted in a flare. The primary purpose of the Stage II Vapor Recovery system is to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from the dispensing of gasoline into vehicles. Only Lake, Porter, Clark, and Floyd counties are subject to Stage II Vapor Recovery requirements in Indiana.

Vehicle Tampering Description

Tampering is the removal, rendering inoperative, causing to be removed, or making less operative any motor vehicle emission control device, except for the purpose of motor vehicle disposal or salvage operations. Acts of tampering include removing a catalytic converter from a vehicle and installing a straight pipe, removing the inside of a catalytic converter ("cleaning" it out), removing an air pump or disabling an air pump by removing the air pump belt, or installing a non-standard thermostatic air cleaner. Under state law, it is illegal to sell, lease, rent, or operate a motor vehicle in a tampered condition. Individuals as well as car dealerships, muffler shops, and repair facilities are prohibited from tampering with a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle tampering program focuses upon reducing the amount of mobile source emissions that contribute to ozone formation.

What is open burning?

Open burning is defined under 326 IAC 4-1-0.5(6) as "the burning of any materials wherein air contaminants resulting from combustion are emitted directly into the air, without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber." Open burning is generally prohibited in Indiana. However, there are exceptions, which are described in the rules on Open Burning, found in 326 IAC 4. It also is noteworthy that 326 IAC 4-1-5 states that, "Any person who allows the accumulation or existence of combustible material which constitutes or contributes to a fire causing air pollution may not refute liability for violation of this rule (326 IAC 4-1) on the basis that said fire was set by vandals, accidental, or an act of God."

What is Fugitive Dust?

Fugitive dust means "the generation of particulate matter to the extent that some portion of the material escapes beyond the property line or boundaries of the property, right-of-way, or easement on which the source is located." The state rules on fugitive dust, which apply to all sources of dust (particulate matter) are found in the Indiana Administrative Code under 326 IAC 6-4 and 326 IAC 6-5. However, under 326 IAC 6-4- 6, there are sources and activities that are not considered in violation of the fugitive dust rules. A source or combination of sources may be considered to be generating fugitive dust if the dust is visible crossing the property line at or near ground level.