Fugitive emissions are emissions of gases or vapors from pressurized equipment due to leaks and other unintended or irregular releases of gases, mostly from industrial activities. 

 

USEPA defines fugitive emissions as unintended emissions from facilities or activities (e.g., construction) that "could not reasonably pass through a stack, chimney, vent, or other functionally equivalent opening." In general, the decision whether to consider emissions as fugitive is a factual determination made by the state permitting agency on a case-by-case basis.

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The following are examples of fugitive emissions and fugitive emissions sources:

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• Dust

• Fine particles

• Aerosols

• Quarries

• Storage piles

• Leaks or releases from valves, pumps, compressors, flanges