Air Pollution Control Program

About the Program

Responsibilities established by law

Federal law The Clean Air Act makes U.S. EPA responsible for protecting and improving air quality and the stratospheric ozone layer. This set of federal laws deals with multiple issues including air pollutants, emissions from car and buses, and acid rain. Guam has multiple exemptions from the Clean Air Act. Click here to learn more about these exemptions.

Local mandates Power to regulate air pollution in Guam was originally given to the Air Pollution Control Commission. When the law was updated, all powers of the Commission were transferred to Guam EPA. Now, Guam EPA’s Air Pollution Control Program is responsible for enforcing the Air Pollution Control Standards and Regulations. These regulations were authored under the autority given by Guam’s Air Pollution Control Act. This program is also responsible for helping implement actions required of Guam by the Federal Clean Air Act.

These local and federal mandates guiding this program aim to protect human health by regulating and controlling air pollution. To complete this work, the program has enacted regulations for emissions. Emission sources may include vehicles, generators or even construction sites.

In the Field

Inspections On a regular basis, staff in the Air Program conduct inspections to ensure businesses or individuals with an Air Permit are following the guidelines agreed upon in the permit. This includes inspecting major air pollution sources or construction sites. The program also conducts inspections and testing to identify vehicle emission problems. This inspection program aims to eliminate or reduce excessive pollution from exhaust from gas or diesel engines. Currently the Program tests for opacity of emissions. This can be done in the field or at Guam EPA’s main office. Plans are being formulated to implement a regular inspection and testing program.

In addition to arranged inspections, the Air Program responds to situations or complaints that affect air quality. This may include dust issues, vehicle emissions, vapor emissions, smog or any other type of air pollution. At times, this has also included providing technical support to radiation issues. Click here to report a violation regarding air emissions.

Elements of the Air Program

Permitting

This program conducts multiple permitting programs for air pollution sources including:

Major stationary emission sources
Minor stationary emission sources
Standby generators as an emission source; and
Ambient air quality.

To learn more about these permits please visit our Air Pollution Control Permits page.

External agency support

Due to their expertise in air quality issues, this Program has been called upon by other agencies numerous times for technical support and assistance. The Air Program responded in the spring of 2011 to questions regarding the potential impact from radiation from Japan. The program also assisted with air quality issues and monitoring when situations like the fires at the Ordot Dump occurred.

Radon

The Air Program has also run Guam’s Radon Program since 1990. Public Law 20-184 required the Guam EPA to initiate a radon screening measurement survey in all schools and public buildings. The program was started more than 10 years ago and continues to be a success.

On October 16, 2019, an amendment to 21 GCA Chapter 104 was enacted through Guam Public Law 35-42. In accordance with Guam P.L. 35-45, every purchaser of any interest in residential real property on which a residential dwelling exists shall be notified by the selling broker, in writing, that said property may present the potential for exposure to radon

The seller of any interest in residential real property on which a residential dwelling exists is required to provide the buyer with any information on radon from tests or inspections conducted on such property or dwelling in the seller’s possession, and notify the buyer of any known radon hazards.

Additionally, Guam EPA shall develop the content of written information that the selling broker shall provide to the buyer of any interest in residential real property on which a residential dwelling exists. The information shall describe potential hazards of exposure to radon, methods and resources for radon testing and remediation, and any other relevant information the Agency deems appropriate.

To comply with Guam P.L. 35-42, Guam EPA has adopted US EPA’s Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon. Homeowners, buyers and sellers should refer to this guide as it provides useful and accurate information on radon exposure risks, testing and remediation. Download a copy of the guide by CLICKING HERE. To read Guam P.L. 35-42 in its entirety, CLICK HERE. For more information about radon and real estate or radon resistant construction, please visit www.epa.gov/radon/radon–resources-home-buyers-and-sellers.

Asbestos

The program is also responsible for overseeing asbestos demolition, renovation and disposal activities under 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M and the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). Contact the program if you have questions about asbestos removal.

Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel

The Air Pollution Control Program worked closely with businesses and the Guam Legislature to help the island transition to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel.
To learn more about how ULSD helps protect our air quality, visit the Education Page.