Gov’t Builds Capacity to Improve Air-Quality Monitoring and Compliance

The Government continues to strengthen the country’s capacity to improve air-quality monitoring and regulatory compliance, by facilitating the training of personnel from key industries and regulatory entities under the Visual Emission Observer Training Programme.

Popularly known as ‘Smoke School’, the programme is delivered twice per year through partnership involving the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and United States (US)-based environmental consulting firm, Eastern Technical Associates (ETA).

It remains a critical tool in ensuring compliance with national air-quality standards and strengthening the country’s environmental management framework.

During specialised three-day sessions, participants are trained and certified in United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Method 9, which is a standard for visually determining the opacity or density of emissions released from stationary sources such as manufacturing plants, mining operations and generators.

Speaking with JIS News, Environmental Consultant with ETA, Marty Hughes, said that Method 9 has stood the test of time and remains highly relevant in modern air-quality monitoring.

He said that the testing method, promulgated by USEPA in the early 1970s, is still widely used today “because the human eye is extremely capable of detecting particulate matter when properly trained and calibrated”.

He noted that although some particulates are extremely fine, their cumulative effect can still result in visible emissions that impact air quality and public health.

“It’s what the general public sees every day when driving past a facility, walking through a community, or spending time outdoors,” he pointed.

The first training session for 2026 was held from January 6 to 8, beginning with a webinar, followed by two days of field-based testing.

During the webinar, participants were introduced to the history of air-quality regulation, the science of light interaction and human vision, observation techniques and environmental conditions, proper positioning and viewing angles, and the documentation procedures required under Method 9.

Noting the importance of proper documentation, Mr. Hughes told JIS News that while participants “can have the certification, if they don’t follow the procedures and document correctly, it doesn’t help them or the regulator”.

During the field-based tests, conducted at the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) Football Field on Old Hope Road in Kingston, participants were required to complete 50 consecutive opacity readings using a smoke generator that simulated different plume densities.

“To be certified, observers must accurately assess both white and black plumes, remain within strict error limits for each reading, and achieve an overall average error of 7.5 per cent or less,” Mr. Huges pointed out.

At the end of the three-day training, successful participants receive Method 9 certification, which is valid for six months. Re-certification is required to ensure that visual accuracy is maintained.

As such, Mr. Hughes told JIS News that the training is conducted every six months to eliminate the possibility of one loosing eye calibration when conducting the tests as well as to ensure that those facilities that exceed the permitted opacity limits can make the necessary adjustments before facing enforcement actions.

Highlighting the programme’s unique role in fostering collaboration, the Environmental Consultant told JIS News that “this is one of the only training programmes in the world where industry and regulators train and certify together. It builds trust, understanding and a shared responsibility for protecting the environment”.

The programme is open to a wide range of participants, including personnel in manufacturing and food-processing facilities, mining and quarrying operations, hospitals and hotels with backup generators, incinerator operators, environmental consultants, regulators and university students.

The next training session is scheduled for July 2026 and interested persons are encouraged to contact the NEPA or visit https://www.eta-is-opacity.com/ for details.