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Local Air Quality Update Ashley Featherstone Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency

Local Air Quality Update Ashley Featherstone Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY. What does the WNC Regional Air Quality Agency do?. Responsible for enforcing federal, state, and local air quality regulations in Buncombe County

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Local Air Quality Update Ashley Featherstone Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency

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  1. Local Air Quality UpdateAshley FeatherstoneWestern North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency

  2. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY What does the WNC Regional Air Quality Agency do? • Responsible for enforcing federal, state, and local air quality regulations in Buncombe County • Permitting of industrial and area sources • Compliance and Enforcement • Asbestos Removal and Open Burning • Monitor Air Quality for compliance with National Standards • Education and Outreach • Pollution Prevention Projects and Outreach • Indoor Air Quality Hotline • Website – www.wncairquality.org and social media

  3. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Air Pollution in WNC • Temperature Inversions • Trap air pollution near surface, rather than dispersing it • “Bowl” Effect associated with topography • Any locally-generated pollution exacerbates the problem

  4. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Air Pollution in WNC • Volatile organic compounds (VOC) and Nitrogen Oxides(NOx) react with heat and sunlight to make ozone • Ozone formation depends mostly on NOx • NOx is emitted by cars, trucks, Duke Energy Skyland Plant • Most Particulate Matter (PM2.5) forms as a result of chemical reactions involving sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that are emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles. Also results from open burning, road dust, land clearing, etc. • Very small particles, less than 2.5 microns • Causes haze (reduced visibility) • Health effects-heart and respiratory illness • Influenced by weather and geography

  5. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Ozone Design Values in Buncombe County

  6. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Fine Particulate Matter Levels in Buncombe Co.

  7. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Air Quality Index for Buncombe County

  8. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY New EPA Regulations for Area Sources • Under their Urban Air Toxics Strategy, EPA has developed standards to reduce toxic air pollutants from “area” or small sources of air pollution. • Best Management Practices and Documentation • Gas stations, auto body shops, certain types of metal fabricators, plating and polishing operations and companies that own boilers, stationary internal combustion engines • Outreach-Agency staff helps businesses minimize emissions and comply with standards

  9. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Heating with Wood– Air Quality Issues • Low stacks • Poor dispersion • CO, NOx, SO2, PM2.5 • Toxics: benzene, toluene, dioxin

  10. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Old “Conventional” Wood Stoves-Built before 1990

  11. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY EPA – Certified Woodstoves (after 1990) Pictures from Wood Heat Organization Inc

  12. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY How to Identify an EPA – Certified Wood Stove Pictures from Wood Heat Organization Inc

  13. Goal – No Visible Smoke Old Stove EPA–Certified Wood Stove

  14. Inside a ‘non-cat’ wood stove 1. Firebox insulation 2. A large baffle 3. Preheated combustion air

  15. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Heating with Wood: Clean Burning Techniques • WNCRAQA launched an initiative to educate citizens who heat with wood about the benefits of newer stoves that meet EPA emission limits. Tax credits-2009-2011. • Newer wood stoves are safer and more efficient. When operated correctly, newer stoves: • use a third to half as much wood • produce 70-90% less smoke and ash • are easier to ignite and monitor, and are easier to maintain.

  16. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY epa.gov/burnwise

  17. The creative message Burn the right wood. Save money and time. Burn only dry, seasoned wood and maintain a hot fire. The right way. Keep your home safer. Have a certified technician install and annually service your appliance. In the right appliance. Make your home healthier. Upgrade to an efficient, EPA-approved wood-burning appliance.

  18. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY EPA’s Air Emissions Rules for Residential Wood Heaters • EPA proposed updates to the existing regulations in January of 2014 • Existing rules include PM emissions limits for adjustable burn-rate woodstoves (most woodstoves and fireplace inserts) • Proposed rules will also limit PM emissions from new adjustable-rate woodstoves (lower limit), pellet stoves, wood-fired hydronic heaters, forced-air furnaces, masonry wood heaters, and “single burn-rate” stoves • Proposed rule will not affect existing woodstoves and other wood-burning heaters currently in use in homes

  19. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY More Diesel Retrofits • In 2013, WNCRAQA retrofitted 5 more fire engines in Buncombe Co (funding from NC DENR DAQ) • In 2010, WNCRAQA partnered with 7 local fire departments to retrofit 20 fire engines with DOCs • The average replacement cycle for a diesel fired truck engine in Buncombe County is 20 years. • Older diesel engines contribute significantly to air pollution in North Carolina. • Fire Engines must idle to operate ladders, pump water, pressurize brakes

  20. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Idling Reduction Campaign at Local Schools • WNCRAQA has partnered with DAQ to provide idling reduction signs to local schools. • Campaign encourages parents not to idle their vehicles in school parking areas.

  21. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Average Radon Levels by County Zone 1=>4pCi/L Zone 2=2-4pCi/L Zone 3=<2pCi/L Radon Awareness • Since 2006, WNCRAQA has partnered with the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Service and the NC Radon Program to give away over 2,000 radon test kits to citizens of Buncombe County. • Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and Buncombe County has some of the highest radon levels in NC.

  22. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY What Can You Do? • Conserve Electricity • Use power management on your monitor and computer to reduce energy consumption • Buy energy efficient light bulbs and turn off the lights when not in use • Insulate your home • Drive Less • Carpool • Combine trips • Don’t idle your vehicle – Turn off your engine • Buy More Fuel Efficient Vehicles • Participate in NC Green Power • Choose to pay $4/month to purchase 100 kilowatts-hours of renewable energy – sign up on your electric bill • Know the Air Quality Forecast

  23. For More Information… For More Information… WNC Regional Air Quality Agency (828) 250-6777 www.wncairquality.org wncair@buncombecounty.org

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