What Are Fugitive Emissions? The term, fugitive emission, as used in air quality control, generally refers to any emission escaping from regulated processes (sources) other than via the designed release point (smoke stack, etc.). The point source for a fugitive emission is simply called "a leak." These leaks and emissions are most often associated with the equipment necessary for the movement of process fluids and gasses. The term "fugitive" is used because these emissions are neither calculated in the source design, captured by the emission control equipment/systems, nor are they detected through normal equipment monitoring processes. Since these emissions bypass control equipment, they are also referred to as "uncontrolled enlissions."