Improving Air Quality in Greenville County, SC The Challenge: Air Pollution

1. Improving Air Quality in Greenville County, SC The Challenge: Air Pollution The Solution: Awareness

2. Upstate County Council Actions • Place great value and importance on the health of citizens and the need for clean air • County Councils of Anderson, Greenville, and Spartanburg • adopted resolutions in November 2002 • Established cooperative means for improving air quality in Upstate SC and meeting standards • Entered into an Early Action Compact (EAC) with USEPA and SCDHEC in December 2002 through December 2007

3. Air Quality Early Action Compact (EAC) • Provided that the Upstate’s air quality monitors reflect attainment by December 31, 2007, entering into the EAC helped us avoid • Restrictive permitting requirements • Restrictions on the distribution and use of federal highway funds • Negative economic impacts and diminished job growth

4. Southeast Attainment Status Ground Level Ozone: Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson Counties are re-designated to “attainment” PM2.5: Entire State of South Carolina is designated as “attainment” Source: http://www.epa.gov/

5. What is Good and Bad Ozone? Good ozone occurs in the atmosphere’s upper level (stratosphere) and protects us from sun’s harmful UV rays • Bad ozone occurs in the atmosphere’s lower level (troposphere) during hot dry summer days. • It is seasonal, usually April to September Source: http://www.epa.gov/

6. VOCs + NOx + Sunlight = Ozone + + = Ozone • On hot, dry summer days, high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by sources such as paints and household cleaners/chemicals react with high levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted by sources such as cars and industrial plants to form ozone (O3) at ground level

7. VOCs + NOx + Sunlight = Ozone • Sources of NOx • On and off-road motor vehicles (mobile sources) • Electric utilities • Other industrial, commercial, and residential sources that burn fuels (gasoline, diesel, coal) • Sources of VOCs • Household products • Trees, especially pine trees, naturally release VOCs • Fumes released when fueling vehicles • Poorly operating vehicle engines

8. Particulate matter Known as particle pollution or PM Complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets Made up of acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles Many sizes and shapes It is a year-round matter Coarse particles Found near roads and dusty industries Range in size from 2.5 to 10 micrometers (µm) in diameter Average human hair is about 70µm in diameter Fine particles (PM2.5) Found in smoke and haze Smaller than 2.5µm Can be directly emitted from forest fires, gases emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles What is Particulate Matter?

9. Primary particles Emitted directly from a source Construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires Secondary particles Complicated reactions of chemicals in the atmosphere such as sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides Emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles making up most of the fine particle pollution Sources of Pollutants Generating PM2.5

10. Health Effects of High Levels of Ground Level Ozone and PM2.5 • Irritates respiratory system • reduces lung function • produces coughing, throat irritation, and congestion • inflames and damages cells that line lungs • aggravates chronic lung diseases (asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema) • causes permanent lung damage

11. Children Elderly People with respiratory illnesses People who are active outdoors Who Is Most Affected?

12. Air Quality Guide for Ozone

14. Preventing Exposure During High Levels of Air Pollution Alert Days • Avoid strenuous outdoor activities • Substitute for an activity requiring less exertion • Walking instead of jogging • Avoid long exposure to outdoor activities • Reduce activity time • Plan activities during days of lower air pollution levels • Don’t exercise near busy roads • Air pollution levels are higher in these areas

15. Preventing Exposure During Days of High Levels of Air Pollution: Be Alert • USEPA • http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/air.html • http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/airatmospheregroundlevelozone.html • http://airnow.gov/ • Free automated service that provides information about Air Quality Index in the location of your choice via daily e-mails • http://www.enviroflash.info/

16. Preventing Exposure During Days of High Levels of Air Pollution: Be Alert • SCDHEC • http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/baqspare.asp • 1-866-238-4973 (Air Quality Forecast)

17. Preventing Exposure During Days of High Levels of Air Pollution: Be Alert • Greenville County • Website www.greenvillecounty.org • Under “County Highlights: Air Quality” • http://www.greenvillecounty.org/air_quality/ • Cable TV (Channel 2)

18. Consolidate trips to avoid unnecessary driving Carpool or rideshare to work, school, or meetings Use alternative modes of transportation public transportation, bicycles, walk Avoid long lines for drive-up windows Park your car and walk into the business Avoid driving from store to store looking for just one item Call ahead to find out if the item is in stock Plan your trips to combine your tasks into one Avoid unnecessary trips during rush hours Accelerate and brake gradually What Can You Do on the Road?

19. Avoid idling your car’s engine for more than 30 seconds Late model vehicles need little warm-up during cold weather Observe speed limits Avoid driving at high speed Use cruise control on highways Avoid “topping-off” the gas tank when refueling “Topping off” and spilled gas pollute the air Use car air conditioning when absolutely necessary Refuel when it’s cool Early in the morning or during the evening Use alternate fuels if available and if your car is properly equipped Reduce car loads Avoid driving with unnecessary items What Can You Do on the Road?

20. What Can You Do on Your Vehicle? • Properly maintain fleet or personal vehicles to reduce emissions and enhance performance • Follow recommended maintenance schedule • Maintain recommended tire pressure • Replace air filter as recommended in the owner’s manual

21. Telecommute to work, if possible or feasible Carpool or rideshare From home to work From work to meetings, training sessions, seminars, conferences, etc. Consider implementing alternate work schedules Reduces engine idling during egress both in employees’ parking areas and on congested streets during rush hours Reduce driving by providing in-house On-line training sessions Web meetings/conferences Conference telephone calls, especially if long distance within the State Conserve energy Chose energy efficient lighting such as compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs In the long run, helps to reduce emissions associated with energy production What Can You Do at Work?

22. Make sure the lids on chemical products, especially janitorial products, paints, solvents, etc. are tightly closed to eliminate evaporation Read the labels and use products that are water-based where suitable Use the minimum amount necessary When painting Consider using brush or roller instead of sprayer Use paints that are water-based or labeled “Zero VOC” Store solvents (paint thinners) in airtight containers Use fans instead of air conditioning at home, when appropriate What Can You Do at Work and Home?

23. Conserve energy In the long run, helps to reduce emissions associated with energy production Chose energy efficient appliances Properly insulate your home Check with utility company for more energy conservation tips or programs Participate in gas can exchange programs in your community Microwave small meals Replace standard light bulbs with energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs Turn off lights in rooms that are not in use Put your computer on stand-by or turn it off when not in use Consider installing a programmable thermostat for your air conditioning and furnace to automatically adjust its operation during times away from home What Can You Do at Home?

24. What Can You Do Outdoors? • In your home garden or office landscaped areas • Consider using manual (reel) or electric-powered lawn and garden maintenance equipment • If using gas-powered lawnmowers, mow lawns when it’s cool • Early in the morning • Late in the afternoon • Consider creating flower or plant beds to reduce lawn mowing areas

25. When Considering a New Car Purchase • Consider purchasing hybrid, alternate fuel, fuel efficient, or lean burn vehicles • The State of South Carolina provides tax incentives for individuals to purchase these vehicles • State income tax credit equal to 20% of certain new hybrid, fuel cell, alternative fuel, or lean burn technology motor vehicle • Tax credits allowed against a taxpayer's federal income tax liability • Fuel economy website • http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

26. Outdoor Burning • State law requirements • Air Pollution Regulation 61-62.2 • regulates outdoor burning and provides exemptions to the statewide ban on open burning • Notify the Forestry Commission prior to burning • outdoors (yard debris), • for forestry, wildlife management, or agricultural purposes, • construction debris, trade waste, or vegetative materials from land clearing or right-of-way maintenance

27. Outdoor Burning • Ordinance No. 3201 • regulates outdoor burning in Greenville County • within all platted residential subdivisions or all zoned areas with the exception of the residential suburban district, • within 200 feet of a platted residential subdivision or applicable zoned area in the County

28. Outdoor Burning • Don’t burn the following materials - It’s against State law! • Household garbage, trash, and cleaners • Paper, plastics, paints, and farm chemicals • Motor and waste heating oils • Building and roofing materials (shingles and tar) • Tires and other rubber materials • Electrical wire, insulation, and duct work

29. What Else Can You Do? Spread the Word • Word of mouth is a great marketing and educational tool • Tell friends, family and co-workers what you are doing and why • Education and small changes in personal habits will do wonders to keep the air cleaner in our corner of the world

30. It is Everybody’s Responsibility • Often industry and businesses are blamed for causing emissions that form ground level ozone and air pollution. • But we are all responsible for reducing air pollution. • Remember motor vehicle emissions are the single greatest contributor to ground level ozone pollution and PM.

31. Sources • US Environmental Protection Agency • http://www.epa.gov/epahome/educational.htm • SC Department of Health and Environmental Control • http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/

32. Contact Information • John Owings/Dan Powell Greenville County Planning Department Phone: (864) 467-7270 Fax: (864) 467-5962 planning@greenvillecounty.org • Sandra Yúdice Assistant to the County Administrator Phone: (864) 467-7105 Fax: (864) 467-7151 countyadministrator@greenvillecounty.org