The NAAQS The Dirty Half Dozen Has Air

The NAAQS: The Dirty Half Dozen

Has Air Quality Gotten Better or Worse in Your Lifetime?

NAAQS Established April 30, 1971 Six Pollutants that are Dangerous for Public Health: 1. Lead 2. Carbon monoxide 3. Nitrogen dioxide 4. Sulfur dioxide 5. Ozone 6. Particulate Matter

#1: Lead (pb) Definition: naturally-occurring metal Sources: ore and metal processing; aviation leaded gasoline Health Impact: reduces blood’s ability to carry oxygen; can contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease. Fact: EPA banned from gasoline in the 1970 s.

#2: Carbon Monoxide (CO) Definition: colorless, odorless gas Source: motor vehicles Health Impact: blocks oxygen delivery to major organs such as the heart and brain. Fact: CO is deadly in an enclosed space with rapid, high exposure.

#3: Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2) Definition: a reddish-brown, highly reactive gas Sources: motor vehicles, power plants Health Impact: even healthy people will experience airway inflammation when exposed to NO 2. Fact: adding oxygen to nitrogen allows it to pollute more.

Near Road NO 2 Monitoring Site

#4: Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2) Definition: a highly reactive toxic gas Sources: power plants, industrial facilities Health Impact: increase asthma symptoms Facts: SO 2 is the main cause of acid rain; scrubbers at power plants have reduced SO 2 from the air

#5: Ozone (O 3) Definition: colorless gas that occurs when pollutants mix in the presence of heat and light Sources: car exhaust, gas vapors, industrial emissions Health Impact: coughing, throat irritation, even chest pains Fact: main cause of smog alerts

#6: Particulate Matter (PM) Definition: soot, dust and dirt in the air Course particulates (between 2. 5 and 10): produced by crushing or grinding processes Fine particulates (PM 2. 5) are so small they can only be detected with an electron microscope. Sources: Course: dust from vehicles on the road or construction sites Fine: all types of combustion: cars, residential wood burning, forest fires, even fireworks Health Impact: Coughing, decreased lung function, irregular heartbeat.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Air Monitors

Air Quality Index Air Quality Good Index 0 -50 Protect Your Health 2012 2013 No health impacts are expected when air quality in this range. 127 98 260 Moderate 51 -100 Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. 206 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 101 -150 Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. 30 7 Unhealthy 151 -200 Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. 3 0 Very Unhealthy 201 -300 Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion. 0 0 Hazardous 301 -500 Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects 0 0

Local Air Quality Map

Has Air Quality Gotten Better or Worse in Your Lifetime?

Air Pollution Reduction: 1990 -2010 100% 17% 90% 80% 70% 38% 33% 45% 46% 60% 50% 40% 73% 70% 75% 78% 30% 20% 83% 86% 10% 0% Lead CO NO 2 SO 2 PM Ozone

NAAQS Analysis of Pollutant Unit Measurement ppm CO (parts per million) μg/m 3 Lead (micrograms per cubic meter) ppb NO 2 (parts per billion) ppb SO 2 (parts per billion) ppb Ozone (parts per billion) μg/m 3 PM 2. 5 (micrograms per cubic meter) EPA Standard 9 ppm 8 -hour average SW Ohio 2012 . 15 μg/m 3 (rolling, 3 -month average) . 0059 μg/m 3 53 ppb annual average 75 ppb 1 -hour average 13 ppb . 99 ppm 70 ppb 75 ppb 1 35 μg/m 3 annual average 2 1 There are four counties in Southwest Ohio; here are their 2010 -2012 ozone readings: Butler: 82; Clermont: 82; Hamilton: 85; Warren: 79 2 Here is the 2012 data for PM 2. 5 per county Butler: 27; Hamilton: 30

Don’t Idle! Idling is leaving a vehicle’s engine running when it is parked or not in use. • Waiting to pick someone up • Running errands • Sitting at the drive-thru Idling a car for 30 seconds uses more gas than turning it off and on!