Virginia Air PollutionVirginia Air PollutionIs the air we breathe safe?Is the air we breathe safe?

How do you know?How do you know?

Compiled by:Alison SinclairVA Dept. of Environmental QualityPiedmont Regional Office

Air PollutionAir Pollution

Dust (PM)Dust (PM) Smog/Ozone (VOC)Smog/Ozone (VOC) Exhaust from fuel burning (CO, NOx,SO2)Exhaust from fuel burning (CO, NOx,SO2) Hazardous chemicals (Hg, Pb, Benzene)Hazardous chemicals (Hg, Pb, Benzene)

Anything that is in the air in quantities that are Anything that is in the air in quantities that are detrimental, whether from manmade or natural detrimental, whether from manmade or natural activities.activities.

DustDust

Comes from smokestacks, Comes from smokestacks, farmers’ fields, construction farmers’ fields, construction sites, quarries, wind erosionsites, quarries, wind erosion

Reduces visibility Reduces visibility Small particles (< 10 Small particles (< 10 μμm)m) can can

be inhaledbe inhaled Studies show that over a Studies show that over a

long period of time, this can long period of time, this can cause lung damagecause lung damage

Smog/OzoneSmog/Ozone

Formed when volatile organic compounds (like Formed when volatile organic compounds (like paint fumes) and nitrogen oxides (car exhaust) paint fumes) and nitrogen oxides (car exhaust) react in the presence of sunlightreact in the presence of sunlight . .

Children in high-ozone communities developed Children in high-ozone communities developed asthma at a rate three times higher than those in asthma at a rate three times higher than those in the low-ozone communities. (California study).the low-ozone communities. (California study).

Can make those with heart and lung disease more Can make those with heart and lung disease more at risk.at risk.

Crop damageCrop damage

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

CO reduces the ability of the blood to carry CO reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen, effects central nervous system, oxygen, effects central nervous system, causes sluggishness.causes sluggishness.

NOx contributes to ozone formation, adds NOx contributes to ozone formation, adds nutrients to Chesapeake Bay, acid rain nutrients to Chesapeake Bay, acid rain component.component.

SOSO22 causes acid rain, may irritate lining of causes acid rain, may irritate lining of lungs.lungs.

Hazardous Air PollutantsHazardous Air Pollutants

Approximately 188 chemicals on list, including Approximately 188 chemicals on list, including mercury, lead, formaldehydemercury, lead, formaldehyde

Causes birth defectsCauses birth defects CancerCancer Burning eyes, lungs, skinBurning eyes, lungs, skin Damage to the environmentDamage to the environment

www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/allabout.htmlwww.epa.gov/ttn/atw/allabout.html

How does Virginia air rate?How does Virginia air rate?

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

Ozone Peak on TuesdayOzone Peak on Tuesday

Courtesy of AIRNow

Photo courtesy of NASA

The atmosphere is not a closed system. Therefore pollution from one area can appear to cause a problem in another area.

Other factors influencing Other factors influencing local pollutionlocal pollution

Regional HazeRegional Haze

www.epa.gov/air/data/geosel.html

Emissions InventoryEmissions Inventory

Regulations to Protect the AirRegulations to Protect the Air

Industrial Revolution created soot, smoke Industrial Revolution created soot, smoke and other pollutants which caused health and other pollutants which caused health problems and many deaths.problems and many deaths.

Local jurisdictions were responsible for Local jurisdictions were responsible for regulating pollution.regulating pollution.

1970 the newly formed Environmental 1970 the newly formed Environmental Protection Agency was tasked with the Protection Agency was tasked with the Clean Air Act.Clean Air Act.

Clean Air ActClean Air Act

Sets standards for air quality (NAAQS)Sets standards for air quality (NAAQS) Based on health studies Based on health studies Protects the most sensitive peopleProtects the most sensitive people Requires new sources to use pollution Requires new sources to use pollution

controlscontrols Older sources will eventually get phased out Older sources will eventually get phased out

(in theory)(in theory) Major sources must show no impact or must Major sources must show no impact or must

reduce pollutants if modifying or expandingreduce pollutants if modifying or expanding

Virginia Air Pollution RegsVirginia Air Pollution Regs Adopted Clean Air Act rulesAdopted Clean Air Act rules Ambient Air Quality Standards applyAmbient Air Quality Standards apply Apply to industrial/commercial sources and Apply to industrial/commercial sources and

some mobile sources (not residential)some mobile sources (not residential) Require new sources to apply for a permitRequire new sources to apply for a permit Quantify emissionsQuantify emissions Control emissionsControl emissions Public Notice for major sources Public Notice for major sources Inspections/ Enforcement Inspections/ Enforcement

What can you do to reduce air What can you do to reduce air pollution?pollution?

Carpool or reduce tripsCarpool or reduce trips Do not let your car idleDo not let your car idle Use water-based paints, low-VOC solventsUse water-based paints, low-VOC solvents Consider hybrid carsConsider hybrid cars Conserve electricityConserve electricity Recycle goodsRecycle goods No open burningNo open burning Maintain heaters/ACMaintain heaters/AC Use hand tools for yard workUse hand tools for yard work Buy low-energy appliancesBuy low-energy appliances Insulate your homeInsulate your home

Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources

Virginia Department of Environmental Virginia Department of Environmental QualityQualitywww.deq.virginia.gowww.deq.virginia.govv

US Environmental Protection AgencyUS Environmental Protection Agencywww.epa.govwww.epa.gov