Emissions inspections assess the types and volumes of emissions produced by vehicles or facilities. They are required by law in some cases and help protect public health and the environment. Inspectors receive special training and use calibrated equipment for consistent results. Vehicle emissions are commonly inspected, and facilities like power plants may also be subject to inspections. Emission standards vary, and cap and trade programs are used to control pollution.
An emissions inspection is an assessment conducted to determine what types of emissions are being produced by a vehicle or installation, and in what volumes. In some cases, these inspections are required by law and in others they may be voluntary. Emissions inspectors receive special training to learn how to conduct emissions tests with properly calibrated and controlled equipment to achieve consistent and objective results.
Vehicle inspections are one of the most common applications of emissions inspection. New car models are usually evaluated for emissions to make sure they meet government standards, and people looking to register vehicles may be required to submit recent emissions test results. If the car’s emission control systems fail, they will need to be fixed so that the car can pass inspection. Cars that fail cannot be registered, unless there is a special exception; in some regions, for example, classic cars are not subject to the same pollution standard.
Facilities such as power plants and manufacturing companies may also be subject to emissions inspections. In this case, the systems used to vent the exhaust gases are inspected to make sure they are in good working order and air samples can be collected to see what the system is emitting. If it falls within pollution tolerances, the facility receives a pass and emissions inspection reveals that the business is generating dangerous levels of pollutants, it can be fined and ordered to take steps to remedy the problem.
One function of an emissions inspection is the protection of public health. Emissions can be dangerous, especially in high volumes, and catching them before they become a problem can limit expenses associated with respiratory illnesses and other medical problems. Also, environmental protection is a concern. Emissions of some compounds have been linked to damage to the environment, ranging from ozone depletion to polluting waterways. Keeping pollution down maintains environmental health and protects future generations.
Emission standards vary widely. Some nations have very strict requirements, while others may be more lax. Cap and trade programs, in which overall pollution is capped and companies that produce less pollution than the standard can trade credits for companies that produce more pollution, are a popular method of controlling pollution. Emissions inspections can be used to enforce such programs using a trusted third party, rather than self-declaration, where companies have obvious incentives to adjust the numbers on an emissions inspection in their favor if they can see a way to to do it.
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