| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.63 |
| Liaison | Sam Lubow |
| Submission Date | July 30, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Stanford University
OP-2: Outdoor Air Quality
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Moira
Hafer Sustainability Specialist Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have policies and/or guidelines in place to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources?:
A brief description of the policies and/or guidelines to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources:
There are various guidelines and programs in place to reduce air pollutant emissions from mobile sources on the Stanford campus. There is a no idling policy for the Marguerite shuttle system. All bus/shuttle drivers are instructed to turn off their engines if they are at a stop for longer than three minutes. Land, Buildings, and Real Estate (LBRE), the owner/operator of the largest portion of university fleet vehicles also has a no idling policy with signage posted throughout the facilities yard. LBRE also includes a no idling policy in its contracts with external entities. The grounds crews have been moving away from gas/diesel-powered engines for their equipment in an effort to limit air pollutant emissions for the workers and the campus community.
Has the institution completed an inventory of significant air emissions from stationary sources on campus?:
A brief description of the methodology(ies) the institution used to complete its air emissions inventory:
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) has an inventory of emissions from all permitted sources. In addition, Stanford has completed engineering estimates for each of 85 toxic air contaminants from 3 new large lab buildings as part of the construction planning process. These estimates are evaluated in comparison to BAAQMD trigger levels for each compound.
Weight of the following categories of air emissions from stationary sources::
| Weight of Emissions | |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) | 0.00 Tons |
| Sulfur oxides (SOx) | --- |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | --- |
| Particulate matter (PM) | --- |
| Ozone (O3) | --- |
| Lead (Pb) | --- |
| Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) | --- |
| Ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs) | --- |
| Other standard categories of air emissions identified in permits and/or regulations | 0.00 Tons |
A brief description of the institution’s initiatives to minimize air pollutant emissions from stationary sources, including efforts made during the previous three years:
New emergency generators are equipped with active diesel particulate (DP) filters as appropriate to reduce overall risk associated with DP emissions on and off campus. In the Chemistry Department, researchers are instructed to use cold traps on their reflux and other equipment upstream of the vacuum pump to reduce emissions. Campus-wide, EH&S discourages intentional evaporation in fume hoods. This is part of the “Responsible Laboratory Management Practices” (BAAQMD; 2-1-224), which also include:
i. Open container procedures involving volatile toxics (from BAAQMD list) are avoided where feasible.
ii. Avoid storage of open containers of volatile hazardous wastes.
iii. Employee training includes the above
iv. Fume hoods posted, and inspected annually to make certain that notices are posted
v. Fume hoods monitored to assure proper face velocity
vi. Evaporation of wastes forbidden
Please note the following:
-- General (NOx, CO, PM, CH4 [other]): Based on emissions data provided by diesel emergency generator manufacturers. Emissions factors multiplied by annual usage.
-- HAPs: Emissions are estimated based on chemical inventories in lab buildings including conservative usage and emissions rate assumptions.
-- ODCs: All refrigerant equipment maintenance is performed by certified technicians in accordance with EPA requirements to minimize emissions.
The website URL where information about the institution’s outdoor air quality policies, guidelines or inventory is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.