Virginia Air Pollution

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Virginia Air Pollution

• Is the air we breathe safe?
• How do you know?

Compiled byAlison SinclairVA Dept. of
Environmental QualityPiedmont Regional Office
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Air Pollution

• Dust (PM)
• Smog/Ozone (VOC)
• Exhaust from fuel burning (CO, NOx,SO2)
• Hazardous chemicals (Hg, Pb, Benzene)
• Anything that is in the air in quantities that
  are detrimental, whether from manmade or natural
  activities.

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Dust

• Comes from smokestacks, farmers fields,
  construction sites, quarries, wind erosion
• Reduces visibility
• Small particles (lt 10 µm) can be inhaled
• Studies show that over a long period of time,
  this can cause lung damage

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Smog/Ozone

• Formed when volatile organic compounds (like
  paint fumes) and nitrogen oxides (car exhaust)
  react in the presence of sunlight .
• Children in high-ozone communities developed
  asthma at a rate three times higher than those in
  the low-ozone communities. (California study).
• Can make those with heart and lung disease more
  at risk.
• Crop damage

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Pollution from fuel burning factories, power
plants, lawn mowers, BBQ grills, forest fires

• CO reduces the ability of the blood to carry
  oxygen, effects central nervous system, causes
  sluggishness.
• NOx contributes to ozone formation, adds
  nutrients to Chesapeake Bay, acid rain component.
• SO2 causes acid rain, may irritate lining of
  lungs.

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Hazardous Air Pollutants

• Approximately 188 chemicals on list, including
  mercury, lead, formaldehyde
• Causes birth defects
• Cancer
• Burning eyes, lungs, skin
• Damage to the environment
• www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/allabout.html

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How does Virginia air rate?

• Currently, VA has 15 counties in
  non-attainment for ozone, and four northern
  counties in non-attainment for PM 2.5. Our Air
  Monitoring Program shows how were doing.

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Ozone Peak on Tuesday
Courtesy of AIRNow
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Other factors influencing local pollution
The atmosphere is not a closed system. Therefore
pollution from one area can appear to cause a
problem in another area.
Photo courtesy of NASA
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Regional Haze
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Emissions Inventory
www.epa.gov/air/data/geosel.html
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Regulations to Protect the Air

• Industrial Revolution created soot, smoke and
  other pollutants which caused health problems and
  many deaths.
• Local jurisdictions were responsible for
  regulating pollution.
• 1970 the newly formed Environmental Protection
  Agency was tasked with the Clean Air Act.

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Clean Air Act

• Sets standards for air quality (NAAQS)
• Based on health studies
• Protects the most sensitive people
• Requires new sources to use pollution controls
• Older sources will eventually get phased out (in
  theory)
• Major sources must show no impact or must reduce
  pollutants if modifying or expanding

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Virginia Air Pollution Regs

• Adopted Clean Air Act rules
• Ambient Air Quality Standards apply
• Apply to industrial/commercial sources and some
  mobile sources (not residential)
• Require new sources to apply for a permit
• Quantify emissions
• Control emissions
• Public Notice for major sources
• Inspections/ Enforcement

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What can you do to reduce air pollution?

• Carpool or reduce trips
• Do not let your car idle
• Use water-based paints, low-VOC solvents
• Consider hybrid cars
• Conserve electricity
• Recycle goods
• No open burning
• Maintain heaters/AC
• Use hand tools for yard work
• Buy low-energy appliances
• Insulate your home

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Additional Resources

• Virginia Department of Environmental
  Qualitywww.deq.virginia.gov
• US Environmental Protection Agencywww.epa.gov