Air Quality Management 101

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Air Quality Management101
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What is Air Pollution?

• Air is
• 78 Nitrogen
• 21 Oxygen
• 1 Other gases (includes pollutant gases)
• Air pollution is
• Gases (sulfur dioxide, chemical vapors)
• Particles (smoke and soot)
• Other contaminants

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Pollutants in the Air

• Common (Criteria) pollutants

• Ozone
• Particulate matter
• Lead

• Nitrogen dioxide
• Sulfur dioxide
• Carbon monoxide

• Hazardous Air Pollutants (188 substances)

• Benzene
• Perchloroethylene (dry cleaning
  solvent)

• Asbestos
• Mercury compounds

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Ozone
Principal component in Smog

• Ozone is formed in the atmosphere by
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
• VOCs NOx Light Energy Ozone
  (O3)

Ozone season May through September
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Particulate Matter
Hair cross section (70 mm)
Human Hair (70 µm diameter)
Source M. Lipsett, California Office of
Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
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What Causes Air Pollution?

• Stationary sources
• Factories, plants
• Area sources
• Dry cleaners, gas stations
• Mobile sources
• Cars, trucks, off-road vehicles,
• construction equipment
• Natural sources
• Volcanoes, forest fires

Photos U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Sources of Pollutants(National averages)
Nitrogen Oxides
Volatile Organic Compounds
Misc. 1
Fuel Combustion (utility and other
non-transportation) 7
Fires 7
Fuel Combustion (utility and other
non-transportation) 5
Miscellaneous 2
Transportation 42
Industrial Processes 45
Industrial Processes 37
Transportation 56
Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2003
Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2003
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Sources of Pollutants(National averages)
Particulate Matter 2.5
Sulfur Dioxide
Transportation 5
Industrial Processes 9
Industrial Processes 6
Area Source Combustion 37
Transportation 21
Fuel Combustion (utility and other
non-transportation) 86
Fuel Combustion (utility and other
non-transportation) 27
Misc. 1
Misc. 9
Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2003
Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000
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Air Pollution Trends(National averages)
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Impacts of Air Pollution
Smoky Mountains Good Air Day
Donora, Pennsylvania at noon, 1948
Smoky Mountains Hazy Air Day
Unless noted, photos U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
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Health Effects of Air Pollution
Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Who is Most at Risk?

• Children
• Elderly
• People with lung or heart diseases and conditions

Photo U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Other Effects of Air Pollution

• Damage to surface water
• Damage to vegetation (crops, trees, etc)
• Damage to buildings and property from acidic
  pollutants

Vegetation photo Allen Heagle, USDA ARS North
Carolina State University
Statue and water photos U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
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Roles of Government

• Federal government
• State government
• Local government/regional agencies

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Federal Government

• Adopts national air quality standards
• Requires use of certain pollution control
  technologies
• Provides technical assistance
• Provides financial assistance
• Oversees of state and local programs
• Conducts/sponsors research

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Federal GovernmentAir Quality Standards

• National ambient air quality standards set limits
  on amounts of pollutants that can be in outdoor
  air
• Established for criteria pollutants
• Primary standard protects public health
• Secondary standard protects public welfare
  (e.g., property, forests, crops, etc.)
• Violation of standards may nonattainment

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State Governments

• Issue air pollution control permits
• Conduct air quality management planning
• Monitor air quality
• Ensure compliance with laws and regs
• Inspect facilities
• Provide technical assistance to regulated sources
  (public and private)
• Take enforcement actions

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Local Governments

• Provide similar responsibilities as states in
  most areas (where authorized)
• Conduct land use/development planning
• Enact ordinances (e.g., open burning ordinances,
  school bus idling reduction)

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Air Quality Monitoring

• Conducted by state or local governments
• Determine compliance with standards
• Examine trends
• Keep citizens informed about air quality in their
  area

Photos U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Nonattainment Areas
Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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School Bus Idling Reduction

• Diesel exhaust contains particulates and other
  pollutants
• Children breathe more deeply than adults
• Idling reduction saves on fuel cost and engine
  wear-and-tear

Photo Clean Air Campaign
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Local Governments Reducing Air Pollution

• Reduce the impacts of government operations
• Work with others on a regional basis
• Minimize vehicle use
• Improve planning for land use, urban design and
  transportation
• Conserve energy
• Encourage business, industry and agriculture to
  use best practices

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Who Causes Air Pollution

• People
• Energy consumption
• Home fuel use
• Transportation
• Use of goods and services

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What Can You Do to Improve Air Quality

• Organize and combine trips/errands
• Carpool, van pool, ride mass transit, telework
• Maintain vehicles properly (tires, filters,
  tune-ups)
• Conserve energy/electricity
• Use fireplaces sparingly
• Dispose of paints/solvents properly
• Get involved in your community

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Questions ?