Stationary Sources

Stationary sources are sources of air pollution that do not move, including power plants, factories, and industrial facilities.  Large, stationary sources that release pollutants in quantities above an emission threshold are known as point sources.

Stationary sources also include smaller sources of air pollution such as gas stations and dry cleaners.  These sources are often referred to as area sources.  These sources consist of numerous facilities or activities that release small amounts of a pollution individually, but collectively can release significant amounts of pollution.

Point sources include:

Chemical Companies                     Storage Tanks

Power Plants                                  Oil Refineries

Food Processing Plants                 Manufacturing Plants

Area sources include:

Dry Cleaners                                 Gas Stations

Landfills                                          Wildfires

Open Burning                                 Region of Homes Using Wood Fireplaces

Here is an illustration of air pollutants from stationary sources:

                                                            Source: EPA

What are primary pollutants?

Primary pollutants are produced by human activities and primary pollutants include sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. In addition to these pollutants, stationary sources also release toxic air pollutants.

What are secondary pollutants?

Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly, rather they form in the atmosphere where the pollutants react with each other or react with the sun.

Metro East Community Air Project
618-514-7854
1 Regency Plaza
Collinsville, IL 62234