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AIR QUALITY
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Nonattainment Areas in WashingtonStates monitor air quality in different areas to find out how much pollution is in the air. When an area violates federal air quality standards, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can make one of three designations for the area based on a state's recommendation:
A nonattainment designation can have both environmental and economic consequences for communities in and around the area. Contents
Information about air quality standards EPA sets air quality standards to protect health. EPA has set standards for seven air pollutants: fine particulate matter (PM2.5), larger particulate matter (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), lead (Pb), and ozone (O3). The standards define how much air pollution is safe in the outdoor air. Learn more about EPA's air quality standards. New, stricter standards for PM2.5 and ozone EPA recently strengthened the national air quality health standards for PM2.5 and ozone to better protect public health. PM2.5 is made up of pieces of soot, dust, and unburned fuel. These particles are so small they penetrate deep into the lungs, where they can cause serious health problem. The old PM2.5 standard was 65 micrograms per cubic meter of air. The new standard is 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Ozone is formed when sunlight interacts with emissions from motor vehicles, industry, solvents, and gasoline fumes. Ozone affects the body’s respiratory system, especially in children and asthmatics. EPA’s ozone standard is a daily maximum 8-hour average concentration of 0.075 parts per million. Areas that don't meet standards Two areas of Washington are in violation of the new, tighter standards for PM2.5 and ozone: the Wapato Hills-Puyallup River Valley area (PM2.5) and the Central Puget Sound area (ozone). PM2.5: Before EPA lowered the standard, all of Washington met the PM2.5 standard. With the new standard, several areas of the state are close to exceeding the standard, and one area is not meeting it. Air monitoring data shows that the Wapato Hills-Puyallup River Valley area persistently exceeded the standard during 2004-2006. EPA has accepted Ecology’s recommendation to designate the Wapato Hills-Puyallup River Valley area nonattainment for PM2.5. See a map of this area. After the designation becomes final, Ecology must submit a plan to EPA by 2012 to bring this area back into attainment with the PM2.5 standard by 2014. Ozone: The Central Puget Sound area violated the ozone standard during 2006-2008. Ecology is tracking ozone levels during the summer of 2009 to determine if the area will violate the standard during 2007-2009 also. If it does, Ecology will recommend nonattainment to EPA. EPA will make a decision about how to designate the area in 2010. Links to informationDocuments discussing PM2.5 nonattainment recommendations:
Maps: Public process documents: |
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
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