Ontario's proposed regulation will require mandatory tracking of 358 airborne contaminants

According to new draft regulations issued Nov. 10, 2000, most Ontario companies will be required to monitor and report on 358 airborne pollutants. The reporting will be dovetailed with the National Pollution Release Inventory to allow for complying with all reporting requirements at one time. However, the Ontario regulation includes contaminants related to smog and greenhouse gases, as well as 79 other airborne contaminants not covered by the national regulatory program. To make the reporting requirements even more onerous, the requirements under this new regulation will be in addition to, and independent of the requirements for a certificate of approval or order issued under the Ontario Environmental Protection Act. Also, the data must be made available to the public by the individual reporting sources and they must answer questions on their reported emissions. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment anticipates that this public disclosure will be an incentive for companies to reduce emissions. This article contains a summary listing of the types of companies that have to report and the effective starting date, a list of the airborne contaminants reportable under this regulation, the reporting criteria, and a brief description of the report format and contents