Maine’s 2011 PM 2.5 & PM 10 Network and 2010 Data Analysis

1. Maine’s 2011 PM2.5 & PM10Network and 2010 Data Analysis Martha Webster Senior Meteorologist Maine DEP-BAQ 17 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0017 Tel: 207-287-8093 E-mail: martha.e.webster@maine.gov Acadia Sunset Photo Courtesy of HAZECAM Network

2. PM2.5 NAAQS • Primary 24hr average set at 35 µg/m3 • Primary annual average is currently 15 µg/m3 • EPA expected to propose new annual NAAQS to be between 12 & 15 µg/m3 • Maine’s Annual DV has not met or exceeded 12 since 2005 (demonstrated in chart on next page).

4. Forecasting Issues • Continue to work to correctly forecast winter particle pollution: it seems that each winter is different than the one before • Try to keep in mind when the Western Mtns region could have higher PM but no TEOM to verify.

5. Significant Harm Level: • EPA also is proposing to set a Significant Harm Level (SHL) for PM2.5 equal to the proposed AQI value of 500, which is 500 μg/m3. Areas rarely reach PM concentrations of this level. • An SHL is an important factor in designing air pollution Emergency Episode Plans, which are required for certain areas of the country.

6. PM2.5 2010 Data

9. For these analyses, Greenville is considered to be in the Western Mountains Region.

13. PM2.5 Monitoring Network

14. 2011

15. PM10

16. PM10: aka Coarse Particles • PM10 NAAQS is 24 hr average of 150µg/m3 not to be exceeded more than once a year averaged over 3 years. • There is one continuous TEOM for PM10 in the state located in Presque Isle • Higher levels historically tend to be in late winter and early spring • Continue to place a mention of ‘coarse particle’ levels in the Status Notes during winter and in the Daily AQ Forecast discussion when windy conditions are expected. This is not an ‘official forecast’ just a note that winds could cause sand & salt to swirl around near roads and parking lots.

17. Winter = sand & salt ? Canadian Fires PM2.5 Episode ?

18. PM10 Monitoring Network

19. 2011