903R90011
EPA REGION III
AIR QUALITY
TRENDS REPORT
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United States Region III
Environmental Protection Philadelphia, PA 19107
Agency
1990
&EPA
EPA Region III
Air Quality
Trends Report
1990
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction i
Ozone exceedances in several cities 88 vs 89 r
Ozone levels rural vs urban areas 1989 2
Exceedances of the ozone standard in Region III states 1983-1989 3
Ozone exceedances in Region III by month 4
CO exceedances in Region III by month 5
1989 actual vs estimated CO levels 6
Total exceedances of 8 hour CO standard 1981-89 7
Where -pollutants come from 8
Comparison of lead levels 1977 vs 1989 9
Comparison of TSP levels 1970 vs 1989 10
Impact of industrial sources on S02 levels in Region III 11
Nitrogen dioxide levels in Region III 1978-1989. 12
Explanation of line graphs with bars 13
Ozone line graphs 14
CO line graphs 16
S02 line graphs 18
PM-10 line graphs 20
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INTRODUCTION
This report is a followup to the 1989 Trends report but has
a different theme. On the twentieth anniversary of Earth Day and
EPA this report also includes some historical data showing how
the air quality in Region III has changed. EPA's Region III .
includes the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. This report
focuses on the six criteria pollutants that EPA has established
standards for. These are listed below:
PM-lO(Particulate matter less than 10 microns in size) - General
term for solid or liquid particles found in the atmosphere. EPA
formerly measured all airborne particulate but now only regulates
particulate less than 10 microns. These pose a risk to health
because they are small enough to penetrate the most sensitive
regions of the respiratory tract.
SULFUR DIOXIDE(S02) - Formed from the burning of sulfur
containing fuels, mainly coal and oil. SOZ is also associated
with many types of respiratory diseases. It is a precursor of
acid rain. The main sources of airborne S02 are electric power
plants that burn sulfur containing coal or oil and oil
refineries.
CARBON MONOXIDE(CO) - A colorless, odorless poisonous gas formed
when carbon fuels(such as gasoline) are not burned completely.
The majority of CO in the atmosphere comes from cars. Even at low
levels CO can affect mental functioning, vision and alertness.
Smokers, people living at high altitudes and people suffering
from lung diseases are more susceptible to the effects of CO.
OZONE(03) - Formed in the atmosphere by the reaction of
hydrocarbons and nitrogen dioxide(N02) in the presence of
sunlight. Ozone is a major problem in the summertime, especially
around cities. Most of the ozone in the air comes from automobile
emissions, but other sources such as coating plants, dry cleaners
and gas stations also contribute to the problem. Ozone irritates
the eyes, nose and throat. It directly affects lung functions and
can cause respiratory disease.
LEAD - EPA's major succesis story in air pollution control. This
air pollutant, which has severe effects on the kidneys, nervous
system and blood-forming organs, came almost totally from the
burning of leaded gasoline in cars. Since 1970 EPA-mandated use
of unleaded gasoline has resulted in a 99.5% decrease in the
amount of lead used in gasoline. As a result, atmospheric lead
levels have decreased over 90%. The only lead sources left in the
USA are a few lead smelters and battery plants. Lead emissions at
most of these facilities are tightly controlled.
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NITROGEN DIOXIDE (N02)- Formed when fuel is burned at high
temperatures. N02 in the atmosphere comes mainly from automobile
emissions and electric utility and industrial boilers. N02 can
also cause respiratory problems and combines with hydrocarbons to
form ozone. NO, levels in Region III and throughout most of the
country are well below EPA standards. The only recent violation
of the N02 standard occurred in Los Angeles, California.
AIR TRENDS IN REGION III - 1989
PARTICULATE MATTER(PM-IO) - PM-10 levels have remained fairly
constant in Region III over the past six years. The only
violations of the PM-10 standards are from the industrial areas
of Allegheny County(Pittsburgh) Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
SULFUR DIOXIDE(S02) - S02 levels have remained fairly constant
over the past 6 years. Almost all of Region III is well under
EPA's standard. The only area with S02 levels near or above the
standard are industrial areas in Pittsburgh and West Virginia.
CARBON MONOXIDE(CO) - Average CO levels have decreased between 15
and 30 percent in Region III. This is due mainly to EPA's
tightening of CO emission levels from automobiles. The only
exceedances of the CO standard occur in cities. CO levels would
be much lower if the number of cars was not increasing twice as
fast as the population.
OZONE(03) - Since ozone forms in the presence of sunlight and
warm temperatures it is difficult to pick up the ozone trend. It
appears to be declining until there is an unusually hot summer,
then there are several violations of the ozone standard. The
summers of 1983 and 1988 are good examples. Both were hot, sunny
and both had a high number of Ozone violation days. EPA has
issued tighter standards on tailpipe and industrial emissions of
volatile organic compounds(VOC), which combine with N02 in the
presence of sunlight to form Ozone. The major( greater than 100
tons/year) sources of VOC are controlled in nonattainment areas
to meet Reasonably Available Control Technology(RACT)
requirements. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 call for the
formation of the Northeast Ozone Transport Commission.
LEAD(Pb) - Lead levels are well below the EPA standard throughout
Region III. Removing lead from gasoline reduced ambient lead to
negligible levels.
NITROGEN DIOXIDE(N02) - NO2 levels have remained consistently
well below the EPA standard in Region III.
ii
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DEFINITIONS
Ambient Air - The air that we breathe. The surrounding air which
is within 5 to 10 meters of the earth's surface.
NAAQS - National Ambient Air Quality Standard. These are
standards set by EPA for the six criteria pollutants which should
not be exceeded. Exceedances of these levels could have adverse
affects on the health and welfare of the people.
Criteria Pollutants - The six pollutants for which EPA has set
standards(NAAQS's) for. They are carbon monoxide(CO), lead(Pb),
nitrogen dioxide(N02), ozone(03), particulate matter less than 10
microns(PM-10) and sulfur dioxide(S02).
ug/m3 - Micrograms per cubic meter.
ppm - Parts per million.
NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS(NAAQS)
POLLUTANT
PM-10
Sulfur
Dioxide (S02)
Carbon
Monoxide(CO)
Ozone (03)
Nitrogen
Dioxide (N02)
Lead(Pb)
REPORT CONTENTS
AVERAGING TIME
Annual Arith. Mean
Max 24-hr Average
Annual Arith. Mean
Maximum 24 hr Avg.
Maximum 3 hr Avg.
Maximum 8 hr Avg
Maximum 1 hr Avg
Maximum 1 hr Avg
PRIMARY STANDARD
(HEALTH RELATED)
50 ug/m3
150 ug/m
80 ug/m3
365 ug/m3
10 xng/irr( 9 ppm)
40 ag/m (35 ppm)
SECONDARY STANDARD
(WELFARE RELATED)
same
same
1300 ug/m3
none
none
Annual Arith. Mean
Maximum Arith. Mean
averaged over a calendar
quarter
0.125 ppm(not to be exceeded more
than 3 times in 3 consecutive years
in an Air Quality Control Region)
100 ug/m3(0.05 ppm) same
1.5 ug/m same
Following this page are a number of graphs showing the recent trends in
the six criteria pollutants( PM-10, Ozone, Lead, Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur
Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide) in Region III. Each graph contains some
background and an explanation of what the graph is trying to show.
111
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FIGURE 8
WHERE POLLUTANTS COME PROM
Components of the six criteria pollutants
VOC( OZONE PRECURSOR)
TSP
T=A\S=0=TAT 3\
=JS. COV3JST 0\
CARBON MONOXIDE
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
LEAD
SULFUR DIOXIDE
POLLUTANT
Participate Matter
smaller than 10 microns
(PM-10)
iHCUStry
MAJOR SOURCES
a»Daaa»aaoD
Sulfur Dioxide(S02)
Pants ourning High Su fur O orCoa
Carbon Monoxide(CO)
A
xi i i i i ir\
Fue Burning Trans oortat on
Ozone (03)
=1 i
3
Coating P ants
Fue Burning Transoortation
Lead(Pb)
«I
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Fue Burning Transoortation Battery P ants anc Sme ters
Nitrogen Dioxide(N02)
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DO " • •
Fue Burning Transoortation
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12
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EXPLANATION OF LINE GRAPHS WITH BARS
The next several pages have graphs like the the one below. On these graphs each point on the line represents the average
pollutant level of all the sites. The upper bar show the pollutant concentration at the high site in the state. The lower bar
shows the pollutant concentration at the low site in the state. The dotted line represents the National Ambient Air Quality
Standard (NAAQS) for the pollutant. No nitrogen dioxide or lead graphs are included because their ambient levels are
well below the standard and show no definite trend.
Concentration PPM
15
12
7 sites
HIGH
AVERAGE OF
ALL 7 SITES
EPA STANDARD
LINE
LOW SITE
1984
1885
1986
1987
1988
1989
13
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OZONE FOR DEL, DC, MD AND PA
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
Concentration PPM DELAWARE
5 sites
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
Concentration PPM MARYLAND
1984 1985 1986 198? 1988 1989
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
second daily maximum 1-hour ozone concentration.
14 sites
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
second daily maximum 1-hour ozone concentration.
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
005
Concentration PPM WASHINGTON, DC
2 sites
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
PENNSYLVANIA
Concentration PPM (excluding Phila & Pittsburgh)
27 sites
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
second daily maximum 1-hour ozone concentration.
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
second daily maximum 1-hour ozone concentration.
14
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OZONE FOR PHILA, ALLEGHENY CO., VA * WVA
Concentration PPM ALLEGHENY COUNTY
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
4 sites
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
Concentration PPM
VIRGINIA
18 sites
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
second daily maximum 1-hour ozone concentration.
Concentration PPM PHILADELPHIA
1984
1985 1986 1987 1988
1989
3 sites
0.25
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
second daily maximum 1-hour ozone concentration.
Concentration PPM WEST VIRGINIA
0.16 -
0.05 -
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
1989
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
second daily maximum 1-hour ozone concentration.
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
second daily maximum 1-hour ozone concentration.
15
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CARBON MONOXIDE FOR DE, DC, MD & PA
Concentration PPM DELAWARE
15
NAAQS
15
12
Concentration PPM MARYLAND
1884 1885 1686 1887 1888 1888
1884 1885 1868 1887 1888 1888
Trend in the composite mean and range for the Mcond highest Trend in the composite mean and range for the stcond highest
nonoverlapplng 8-hour average carbon monoxide concentration, nonoverlapping 6-hour average carbon monoxide concentration.
WASHINGTON, DC
Concentration PPM (1988 data invalid)
16
12
NAAQS
1884 1885 1888 1887 1888 1889
16
12
PENNSYLVANIA
Concentration PPM (excluding Phila & Pittsburgh)
NAAQS
1684 1865 1866 1887 1868 1666
Trend In the composite mean and range for the second highest _ .. .. „ . ... ... . .
M * Trend In the composite mean and range for the second highest
nonoverlapplng 8-hour average carbon monoxide concentration, nonoverlapping 8-hour average carbon monoxide concentration.
16
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CARBON MONOXIDE FOR ALLEGHENY CO, PHILA, VA * WV
Concentration PPM ALLEGHENY COUNTY Concentration PPM VIRGINIA
16
4 sites
NAAQS
12
12 sites
NAAQS
IBM 1086 1086 1087 1068 1080
1084 1085 1088 1087 1088 1080
Trend in the composite mean and range for the second highest Tr«n«l in *• composite mean and range tor the second highest
nonoverlapping 8-nour average carbon monoxide concentration. nonoverlapping 8-hour average carbon monoxide concentration.
16
12
Concentration PPM PHILADELPHIA
6 sites
NAAQS
16
12
Concentration PPM WEST VIRGINIA
3 sites
NAAQS
1084 1085 1088 1087 1088 1080 '"M 1»85 1088 1087 1088 1089
Trend in the composite mean and range for the second highest Trend in the composite mean and range for the second highest
nonoverlapping 8-hour average carbon monoxide concentration, nonoverlapping 8-hour average carbon monoxide concentration.
17
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SULFUR DIOXIDE FOR DE, DC, MD * PA
ug/m3
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
1084
DELAWARE
PPM
8 sites
NAAQS
0.03
0.02
0.01
1985
1988
198?
1988
1989
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
arithmetic average sulfur dioxide concentration.
ug/m3
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
1984
MARYLAND
PPM
6 sites
NAAQS
1
0.03
0.02
0.01
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
arithmetic average sulfur dioxide concentration.
1984
PENNSYLVANIA
-*""" WASHINGTON, DC rrm ug/na (excluding Phila & Pittsburgh)
lUw
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
'm 2 sites
NAAQS
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90
0.03 80
70
60
002 50
40
30
0.01
20
10
0
25 sites
§ B wwm . . . •
m
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•
•
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PPM
0.03
0.02
001
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1984
1085
1986
1987
1988
1989
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
arithmetic average sulfur dioxide concentration.
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
arithmetic average sulfur dioxide concentration.
18
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SULFUR DIOXIDE FOR PHILA, ALLEGHENY CO, VA 4 WVA
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
100
90 f
80 M
70
60
90
40
30
20
10 h
7 sites
NAAQS
0.03
0.02
0.01
1964 19B5 IBM 1967 1B68 i8t
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
arithmetic average sulfur dioxide concentration.
PHILADELPHIA
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
7 sites
NAAQS
0.03
0.02
0.01
1984 1985 1986 1987 1968 1989
Trend In the composite mean and range for the annual
arithmetic average sulfur dioxide concentration.
ug/
90
80
70
80
50
40
30
20
10
713 VIRGINIA
1 1 sites
NAAQS
•
•
-
-
m*
mtjmt
' T"
mf
^»
— T T
-111
PPM
0.03
0.02
0.01
1984 1885 1886 1887 1988 1989
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
arithmetic average sulfur dioxide concentration.
tg
106
100
M
80
70
60
SO
40
30
20
10
n
w3 WEST VIRGINIA
!"-,- 12 sites ~T
.
»
-
-
-
_
^m
<••
"T"
1 ^— — -
M*
mm*
^•^.
•»
•
*•
NAAQS
-• — '-»
mm
PPM
0.03
0.02
001
1984 1985 1986 1987 1986 1989
Trend in the composite mean and range for the annual
arithmetic average sulfur dioxide concentration.
19
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PNMO FOR MD, DE, VA & WV
PM-10 has replaced TSP as an EPA criteria pollutant. This is the airborne particuaite matter less than 10 microns. Participate
this small pose a threat to health because they are small enough to enter the most sensitive regions of the respiratory tract
Concentration ug/m3 MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1
I
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
4 sites
NAAQS
. •«
•»
•
—
»
m^
M*
—
mmm
^mm
****
4B^
immp
mm
,
mm*
m*
1885 1886 1887 1886 1888
'rend in the composite mean and range for the max
>4-hour PM-10 concentration.
Concentration ug/m3
DELAWARE
3 sites
,••••••••••••••••1
,r-*_
• S'
m
m
1 * *
...... .Ntt9§ ....
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^v
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mm
**
mm
.A
**^ u.
zoo
180
180
140
120
100
80
80
40
20
0
Tr
mum 2<
250
228
200
ITS
150
12S
100
76
SO
25
0
13 sites
.
•
•
•
M
m
mm
— — -
•»
••
M
•
-^
m*
m
»
•
NAAQS
•
m
m>
1885 1986 1887 1888 1988
end in the composite mean and range for the maximum
l-hour PM-10 concentration.
Concentration ug/m3 WEST VI RG I N I A
•
mm
m
•
•
*•
^— ~~
_ —
mmi
mm
—•—•—••
4 sites
mm
• .
mmmmmt
•1
••
NAAQS
*•
^
^
,
i
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Trend in the composite mean and range for the maximum Trencj jn tne composite mean and range for the maximum
24-hour PM-10 concentration. 24-hour PM-10 concentration.
20
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PM-10 FOR PH1LA, ALLEGHENY CO, * PA
PM-10 has replaced TSP as an EPA criteria pollutant. This Is the airborne partlcualte matter less than 10 microns. Paniculate
this small pose a threat to health because they are small enough to enter the most sensitive regions of the respiratory tract.
250
225
200
175
150
125
100
75
50
25
0
Concentration ug/m3 PHILADELPHIA
4 sites
1885
1888
1867
1MB
1888
Concentration tQ/m3 ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Trend in the composite mean and range for the maximum
24-hour PM-10 concentration,
1965
25U
229
200
17S
150
125
inn
75
so
25
0
»
•
L.
•
•
••
»
•
13!
r*
M
M
sites
/
/
M
•
tlltd«'>nl/
M
•
•
3W.fi/mD
NAAQS
"---
4
M
IBM
1967
19SS
1989
Trend In the composite mean and range for the maximum
24-hour PM-10 concentration,
280
22B
200
175
150
125
100
75
60
25
0
Concentration ug/rn3
PENNSYLVANIA
(excluding Phila & Pittsburgh)
11 sites
NAAQS
1965
11)66 1967 1968 1969
Trend in the composite mean and range for the maximum
24-hour PM-10 concentration.
21
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