Elgin Meets Air Quality Standards
Elgin Meets Air Quality Standards with Full Line of Sweepers
Updated - August 2000
(Elgin, IL) — IMAGINE … taking care of the world's environment. Elgin Sweeper makes it possible to do just that with their PM10 efficient mechanical, regenerative air, and pure vacuum sweepers. So, what is PM10? It is a category of very small particles — small enough to be inhaled deep within the lungs. These particles, of great concern to public health, are less than 10 Microns in diameter, or approximately 1/7th the thickness of a human hair. Not only is it a health issue for all of those breathing the contaminated air, it has created a major concern for manufacturers of industrial equipment such as street sweepers, for they must now become PM10 compliant in certain areas of the country.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set standards for air quality by identifying acceptable levels of PM10. They have also conducted tests in different parts of the country and have defined several areas, predominantly in the southwestern United States, as PM10 non-attainment areas. This, in short, means these particular regions are not maintaining a healthy standard of air quality. In light of this fact, the EPA is requiring that each of these areas submit a corrective plan of action to meet PM10 emission standards by any reasonable means.
Air quality agencies in several states are in the process of developing air quality plans to bring PM10 concentrations down to healthful levels. These plans include a variety of programs developed to reduce emissions, including dust control for roads, construction areas, landfills, and industrial facilities. PM10 levels may be high in different regions for completely different reasons. As one city may have high PM10 levels from usage of large quantities of deicers subsequent to major snow falls, other cities predominately generate PM10 because of large industries and automobiles. Therefore, each geographical area needs to develop their own plan of attack.
To aid in the reduction of PM10 levels, an organization called the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has set their own regulations and standards within the southern California basin. Outlining compliancy to PM10 standards in their Rule 1186, the SCAQMD is responsible for reducing PM10 levels in southern California. The SCAQMD has contracted the Center for Environmental Research and Technology, College of Engineering at University of Riverside, California (CE-CERT) to perform testing functions for certification of street sweepers. Currently these standards apply only to the state of California. However, other state and local governments are reviewing this type of regulation to see if it might be applicable in their non-attainment areas.
Previously, there was a belief that only "air" machines could meet the PM10 test standards; however, with the help of new technology, Elgin has seven mechanical sweepers also meeting the PM10 standards. In fact, Elgin is presently the only company to have PM10 efficient sweepers in the three-wheel urban mechanical category.
How is a sweeper evaluated for PM10 efficiency? It is evaluated in two primary areas. First, a sweeper is tested on its ability to pick-up very small particles. Second — while sweeping, the sweeper can only produce a minimal amount of small dust particles. A sweeper must pass both sections of this test with at least 80% pick-up efficiency to comply with PM10 efficiency standards.
Elgin Sweeper Company — working hard to help you take care of the world's environment. Elgin is part of the Federal Signal Environmental Products Group, which also includes Five Star Manufacturing in Youngsville, NC; Vactor Manufacturing, Vaxjet, and Guzzler Manufacturing in Streator, IL; Jetstream of Houston in Houston, TX; and Ravo BV in Alkmaar, The Netherlands. Federal Signal Corporation is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, under the symbol FSS. www.elginsweeper.com
For more information about Elgin Sweeper Company and the GeoVac, please call or write:
John Ronn, Product Manager
Elgin Sweeper Company
1300 West Bartlett Road
Elgin, IL 60120-7529
Phone: 847-741-5370
Fax: 847-742-3035
E-mail: sales@elginsweeper.com
Updated - August 2000
(Elgin, IL) — IMAGINE … taking care of the world's environment. Elgin Sweeper makes it possible to do just that with their PM10 efficient mechanical, regenerative air, and pure vacuum sweepers. So, what is PM10? It is a category of very small particles — small enough to be inhaled deep within the lungs. These particles, of great concern to public health, are less than 10 Microns in diameter, or approximately 1/7th the thickness of a human hair. Not only is it a health issue for all of those breathing the contaminated air, it has created a major concern for manufacturers of industrial equipment such as street sweepers, for they must now become PM10 compliant in certain areas of the country.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set standards for air quality by identifying acceptable levels of PM10. They have also conducted tests in different parts of the country and have defined several areas, predominantly in the southwestern United States, as PM10 non-attainment areas. This, in short, means these particular regions are not maintaining a healthy standard of air quality. In light of this fact, the EPA is requiring that each of these areas submit a corrective plan of action to meet PM10 emission standards by any reasonable means.
Air quality agencies in several states are in the process of developing air quality plans to bring PM10 concentrations down to healthful levels. These plans include a variety of programs developed to reduce emissions, including dust control for roads, construction areas, landfills, and industrial facilities. PM10 levels may be high in different regions for completely different reasons. As one city may have high PM10 levels from usage of large quantities of deicers subsequent to major snow falls, other cities predominately generate PM10 because of large industries and automobiles. Therefore, each geographical area needs to develop their own plan of attack.
To aid in the reduction of PM10 levels, an organization called the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has set their own regulations and standards within the southern California basin. Outlining compliancy to PM10 standards in their Rule 1186, the SCAQMD is responsible for reducing PM10 levels in southern California. The SCAQMD has contracted the Center for Environmental Research and Technology, College of Engineering at University of Riverside, California (CE-CERT) to perform testing functions for certification of street sweepers. Currently these standards apply only to the state of California. However, other state and local governments are reviewing this type of regulation to see if it might be applicable in their non-attainment areas.
Previously, there was a belief that only "air" machines could meet the PM10 test standards; however, with the help of new technology, Elgin has seven mechanical sweepers also meeting the PM10 standards. In fact, Elgin is presently the only company to have PM10 efficient sweepers in the three-wheel urban mechanical category.
How is a sweeper evaluated for PM10 efficiency? It is evaluated in two primary areas. First, a sweeper is tested on its ability to pick-up very small particles. Second — while sweeping, the sweeper can only produce a minimal amount of small dust particles. A sweeper must pass both sections of this test with at least 80% pick-up efficiency to comply with PM10 efficiency standards.
Elgin Sweeper Company — working hard to help you take care of the world's environment. Elgin is part of the Federal Signal Environmental Products Group, which also includes Five Star Manufacturing in Youngsville, NC; Vactor Manufacturing, Vaxjet, and Guzzler Manufacturing in Streator, IL; Jetstream of Houston in Houston, TX; and Ravo BV in Alkmaar, The Netherlands. Federal Signal Corporation is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, under the symbol FSS. www.elginsweeper.com
For more information about Elgin Sweeper Company and the GeoVac, please call or write:
John Ronn, Product Manager
Elgin Sweeper Company
1300 West Bartlett Road
Elgin, IL 60120-7529
Phone: 847-741-5370
Fax: 847-742-3035
E-mail: sales@elginsweeper.com