Penn State’s Visible Emissions Training Program, also known as Smoke School, offers opacity training for people who want to become certified “smoke readers.” Penn State’s Smoke School presents technical information on opacity, but does not require formal education in science, engineering, or technology.
Participants of Penn State’s Smoke School are trained to visually read the opacity of industrial plumes and conduct tests in accordance with EPA Method 9. Participants who complete smoke school training and pass the field test receive certification as an individual who is familiar with Title V regulations and enforcement practices.