Emission Summary
and Dispersion Modelling Report

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Emission Summary and Dispersion Modelling Report

Most Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) applications or Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) registrations require the preparation of an Emission Summary and Dispersion Modeling (ESDM) report if the facility has the potential to cause an adverse effect and release contaminants into the natural environment.

Engaging in Environmental Reporting, specifically by preparing an Emission Summary and Dispersion Modeling (ESDM) report, is a vital step in ensuring compliance with Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) applications or Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) registrations for facilities that may release contaminants into the natural environment.

SONAIR Environmental’s engineers have prepared countless ESDM reports for businesses of all sizes from family operated businesses to multi-national manufacturing facilities. If you are wondering whether or not an ESDM applies to your facility, contact one of our specialists for a free consultation.

Are you required to prepare an Emission Summary and
Dispersion Modelling (ESDM) report?

Small business owners may often believe their activities and operations do not release any contaminants or pollutants into the air, simply because they do not smell or visually see any dust being emitted from their processes. If your operations require the use of any chemicals or generate particulates, chances are your facility will be required to prepare an ESDM report in support of the Environmental Compliance Approval application or Environmental Activity and Sector Registry registration. An Emission Summary and Dispersion Modeling Report lists all of the onsite sources and accounts for any contaminants being released into the air. Contaminants emitted must be compared against Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks’ (MECP) prescribed standards and limits to determine compliance. If the limits from the general air standard cannot be met, the facility must apply for a site-specific or technical standard.

Emission Summary and Dispersion Modelling report must be prepared in accordance with Guideline A-10:
Procedure for Preparing an Emission Summary and Dispersion Modelling (ESDM) Report, where one of the requirements is to use an approved air dispersion model to determine the fence line Point of Impingement (POI) concentrations.

Models must be prepared in accordance with Guideline A-11:
Air Dispersion Modelling Guideline for Ontario. Air dispersion model and terrain versions are updated from time to time by the MECP whom adopts from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Whenever the Ministry phases-in a newer version of the model and terrain files, these newly adopted versions will become the norm and will require assessments to use the new versions to model the results with.

Typical Processes and Activities Requiring Assessment

There is no simple answer as to what processes or activities may or may not require assessment and inclusion in the ESDM report. While certain processes or operations are more obvious than others, it is sometimes on a case-by-case basis. The following are some of the processes and activities that generally require assessment and inclusion in the ESDM report:

Plastic Extrusion
Cutting / Welding
Spray Painting
Baking / Curing
Dust Collectors

Sand / Abrasive Blasting
Pelletizers
Parts Washer
Natural Gas-Fired Equipment

Overview of an ESDM Report

An Emission Summary and Dispersion Modelling report forms an integral part of an ECA application or EASR registration. In general, an ESDM outlines the processes and emissions a facility has and whether or not the facility is in compliance with the applicable limits and standards. An ESDM report must contain, at a minimum, the following components to be considered a complete report by the Ministry:

Executive Summary
Facility Description
Initial Identification of
Sources and Contaminants
Assessment of The Significance
of Contaminants and Sources
Operating Conditions

Emission Rate Estimating
and Data Quality
Source Summary Table
and Site Plan
Dispersion Modelling
Emission Summary and
Interpretation of Results

What happens if I operate in a multi-tenant unit?

If you share a building with other tenants, it becomes especially important to assess for re-entrainment and the impacts your operations may pose on your adjacent neighbours. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks require the assessment of same structure contamination as part of the Emission Summary and Dispersion Modelling report. Same structure contamination can be assessed using the Ministry approved model, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) methodology.