Air Quality Overview

 In May 1999, the Catawba Air Quality Committee (CAQC) was formed and began meeting on a monthly basis. Catawba County and the City of Hickory took the lead in the area to educate the citizens about air quality. The CAQC was a very active group dedicated to the importance of air quality issues in the county. The CAQC evolved into the Unifour Air Quality Committee (UAQC) after ten local governments (representing a larger geographical area) in the region signed the Early Action Compact in December 2002. The stakeholders represent organizations that include four counties (known as the Unifour Area). The Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) has served as the lead agency for the CAQC and the Unifour Air Quality Committee (UAQC), working together to address air quality issues and to achieve clean air sooner.

Each local government has either begun working on the air quality plan for their area, or they have completed the plan. Catawba County, Caldwell County and the City of Hickory have taken the lead in preparing their air quality plans, and are offering examples to the other local governments. The WPCOG is assisting in plan development, and other aspects of air quality planning as needed. The air quality plans are an important part of our strategies for developing methods to reduce ozone production. The plans will be geared towards what employers, employees and citizens can do individually to help reduce the ozone levels in the air.

The stakeholders are serious about the goal of reducing ozone in the Unifour Area. The members recognize that the health concerns are a top priority. The members plan to continue to provide education and follow guidelines that can help reduce the levels of ozone in the air. The members are actively involved in attendance of the meetings, as well as taking action steps by making commitments to education, and assisting citizens in working together to make our air cleaner to breathe. Another reason for reduction in ozone values can be contributed to loss of manufacturing and textiles in the Unifour Area. The economy in the Unifour Area has suffered dramatically from the loss of jobs, which has been another topic of discussion. The committee fears the negative impacts of penalties that could be placed on the area if labeled non-attainment.

A list of 14 control measures were adopted by the UAQC group to be used as a guide for all Early Action participants as ways to help reduce the production of ozone. The list consists of the strategies that have been adopted by the participating members to do to help guarantee our serious dedication to cleaning the air that we breathe. The committee also distributes Color Guides that the NC Division of Air Quality (NC DAQ) has provided for individuals to give guidance (education) on things that everyone can do to help by doing their share. All stakeholders are committed to reducing ozone in the Unifour Area. The Ultimate goal is to achieve cleaner air sooner, and that is what the Unifour Area plans to do.

 

PM 2.5 Issues in the Hickory Metro Area

 

Background:

 

Fine particulate pollution, also called PM 2.5, consists of suspended fine particles that are less than or equal to 2.5 micrograms in diameter.  PM 2.5 is made up of a variety of microscopic solids and liquid droplets such as allergens, dust, nitrates, organic chemicals, and sulfates.  They can either be emitted directly into the air or can be formed through secondary processes in the atmosphere.  Sources of emissions include dirt roads, electric utilities, industrial processes, motor vehicles and plant life.  Unlike ozone, PM 2.5 emissions can occur throughout the year, although the amount and chemical composition of PM 2.5 depends on location, time of year and local weather locations.

 

Health studies indicate a correlation between elevated PM 2.5 levels and premature death from heart or lung disease.  High PM 2.5 levels have also been associated with heart attacks and respiratory symptoms such as asthma attacks and bronchitis.  This can in turn lead to increased levels of hospitalization as well as school and work absences. 

 

After several years of analyzing various health and scientific research studies, EPA issued fine particle standards in 1997.  The yearly standard was set at 15 micrograms per cubic meter based on a three-year average of annual PM 2.5 concentrations.  The 24-hour standard is currently 65 micrograms per cubic meter. 

 

After adding 1,200 monitors across the country between 1997 and 2003, in April 2003 EPA issued a memorandum to state governments showing the schedule for designating areas that were either in attainment or nonattainment for the new standard.  EPA would an area nonattainment if it has violated the fine particle standards over a three-year period, or if relevant information indicates that it contributes to violations in a nearby area.    The three year period was defined by EPA from 2001 to 2003.

 

Monitor results reveals a decline in PM 2.5 levels from 15.98 in 2001 to 15.04 in 2003.  The three-year average between 2001 and 2003, however, equaled 15.36, or just slightly above the standard.  Since the monitor was above the standard, however, EPA initially recommended that Catawba and a portion of Burke and Caldwell counties be deemed nonattainment for PM 2.5.  In February 2004 the NC Division of Air Quality (NCDAQ) recommended that only the urban part of Catawba County (defined as the portion of Catawba County within the boundary of the Greater Hickory Metropolitan Planning Organization) be deemed for nonattainment since Burke, Caldwell and the rural portion of Catawba County was not contributing the PM 2.5 problem.  In December 2004 EPA made its final designations.  It placed all of Catawba County in nonattainment status for PM 2.5 based on the three year between 2001 and 2003 being slightly above the 15.0 standard.

 

EPA, however, would place an area back in attainment if the 2002-04 average was less than the 15 standard.  Even though data in 2003 and 2004 had PM2.5 values less than 15 micrograms per cubic meter (15.04 or less-see Table 1), the three-year average for the area was 15.12, or .08 above the standard.  In April 2005 the PM 2.5 designation for Catawba County was consequently published in the federal register. 

 

Since 2003, as the Unifour Air Quality Committee (UAQC) discovered the potential of a violation of PM2.5 levels at the Hickory monitor, the region has been diligently working to reduce PM2.5 emissions in the region.  Through a combination of federal, state and local programs such as the Clean Smokestacks Act, Air Awareness programs and improved operational traffic planning, the UAQC is working hard to bring PM2.5 reductions to the area more quickly.  Local governments and business in the area are also ready to do their part to lower PM2.5 emissions and its precursors, in a similar fashion to the ozone EAC for the Hickory area.

 

 

North Carolina Division of Air Quality

The Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is responsible for protecting and improving outdoor, or ambient, air quality in North Carolina. To carry out this mission, the DAQ has programs for monitoring air quality, permitting and inspecting air emissions sources, and educating and informing the public about air quality issues.

The DAQ, which is part of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), also enforces state and federal air pollution regulations. In North Carolina, the General Assembly enacts state air pollution laws, and the Environmental Management Commission adopts most regulations dealing with air quality. In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated the DAQ as the lead agency for enforcing federal laws and regulations dealing with air pollution in North Carolina. The DAQ does not deal with indoor air pollution issues such as workplace safety, second-hand smoke, asbestos contamination, and radon and radiation problems.

http://daq.state.nc.us/