Virginia Air Pollution

1. Virginia Air Pollution Is the air we breathe safe? How do you know? Compiled by:Alison SinclairVA Dept. of Environmental QualityPiedmont Regional Office

2. 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.

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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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 we’re doing.

9. Ozone Peak on Tuesday Courtesy of AIRNow

10. 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

11. Regional Haze

12. Emissions Inventory www.epa.gov/air/data/geosel.html

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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