905R78112
••?. UNITED STATES
*> MJI \ ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
| f^B^7 m REGION V
^" 230 SOUTH DEARBORN ST
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still more polluted than is acceptable to insure protection of
health and property. The designation is made on the basis of
measurements of air quality, or on the basis of predicted or
projected air quality where information on air quality measure-
ments is not available.
Q. Which pollutants have been identified as harmful to human health
and how are they derived?
A. National Ambient Air Quality Standards have been established for
the following air pollutants:
Total Suspended Particulates. This refers to dust, ash, grit,
toxic metals, and other particles suspended in the air.
Particulate matter can be produced by burning coal, incin-
eration of garbage and other wastes, blowoff from vacant lots
and unpaved roads, and industrial processes such as steel
making, coking, stone quarrying, grain drying, and others.
Dust can be resuspended by heavy automobile traffic, and this
can cause violation of air quality standards in downtown
areas. Particulate matter can cause serious breathing pro-
blems, particularly to individuals with asthma, bronchitis,
or emphysema. It causes soiling of fabrics, buildings, home
furnishings, and other materials, erodes paint on homes and
automobiles, decreases sunlight, increases rainfall, and may
cause increases in violent weather.
Carbon Monoxide(CO). Carbon monoxide is a product of incom-
plete burning and is also produced by several chemical processes.
The major cause of nonattainment in towns and cities is the
automobile. CO causes headache, dizziness, slowing of reflexes,
and at high concentrations, coma and death.
Sulfur Dioxide(SO?). Sulfur dioxide is formed when sulfur-
containing coal or oil is burned. More than half of the SC(2
emitted nationwide is from electric power plants. The remainder
is from other combustion operations and process industries.
Sulfur dioxide causes damage to cells lining the lungs. Sulfuric
acid is formed when SO-reacts with water vapor in the air. This
causes acidic rain, which damages building materials, paint,
crops and other vegetation, and which threatens desirable species of
game fish in lakes and streams.
Oxides of Nitrogen(NO ). Nitrogen gas (N J composes about 80
percent of our atmosphere. Under extreme neat (such as occurs in
the cylinders of automobile engines),, nitrogen combines with
oxygen to form NO . Oxides of nitrogen causes severe irritation
to lung tissue. Children living and playing in areas of dense
automobile traffic have more frequent bouts with colds and flu.
Exposure to high levels of NOX can cause pneumonia and brochitis.
NO also combines with water vapor in the air to form acid mists.
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However, the most serious pollution problems of oxides of
nitrogen is the role they play in the formation of photo-
chemical oxidants, or smog.
Photochemical Oxidants(smog). Smog is, by far, the most
serious air pollution problem of urban America. It is formed
by the interaction of oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons
(hydrocarbons are compounds containing hydrogen and carbon,
such as gasoline, cleaning fluid, paint thinner, and other
solvents) in the presence of sunlight. Smog causes head-
aches, irritates the eyes and throat, permanently damages
lung and heart tissue, destroys red blood cells, and in-
creases susceptibility to infection. It is particularly
damaging to the very young, the very old, and victims of
chronic heart and lung disease. The number one cause of
NOX and hydrocarbons (the raw material of smog) is the
automobile. Blankets of smog can travel to rural areas
hundreds of miles from the city where it is formed.
Q. Whose responsibility is it to control this pollution?
A. The Clean Air Act clearly notes that the prevention and control
of air pollution at its source is the primary responsibility of
state and local governments. The Federal government provides
guidance and financial assistance to the states to help them
develop a program to meet the NAAQS everywhere in the state
by December 31, 1982 (this date may be extended up to December
31, 1987 for carbon monoxide and photochemical oxidants, if
a state can show that it will not be able to meet the NAAQS
by 1982 despite the imposition of all reasonable control measures)
The state's plan to attain the NAAQS is called a State Implemen-
tation Plan (SIP). This plan must be approved by the USEPA by
July 1, 1979.
Q. Can there be new industrial growth in non-attainment areas?
A. Between now and July 1, 1979 industry can locate or expand in a
non-attainment area as long as certain conditions are met.
These are:
1. All sources of pollution owned or operated by the same
firm must be in compliance with the existing air pollu-
tion control regulations.
2. The company must reduce pollution from its existing
operations or from other operations in the area to make
room for the pollution which will be produced by the
new pollution source. This process allows growth while
not permitting poor air quality to deteriorate further.
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3. The company must use the most effective pollution control
technology on the new source. After 1979, the revised
state pollution control plan will be in effect. This
plan will contain regulations which will result in attainment
of health related air quality standards and provide room
for new industrial growth.
Q. What Kind of problems are most typical?
A. The major problem facing the Midwest is coping with pollution from
motor vehicles. In most major cities new transportation control
programs will need to be developed, including requiring annual
automobile 'inspect ion and maintenance programs.
Q. What happens if a state does not plan adequately for acceptable
air quality?
A. The 1977 amendments to the Clean Air Act establish a number of
automatic penal ities if the required plan is not submitted or
approved .
These are:
1. Construction of new major sources of pollution within the
non-attainment area is illegal after July 1, 1979.
2. USEPA is not permitted to grant air pollution control
funds and some sewage treatment funds to the state.
3. Where an acceptable plan is not approved in areas where
transportation control measures are necessary, the Department
of Transportation cannot award Federal highway funds to the
State except for funds for air quality and safety improve-
ments .
The main points I would like to leave with your are:
1. A non-attainment area designation can cover a multi-county area
but in most instances covers only narrowly defined sections of that
area.
2. A one-year "clock" started running on January 1, 1978 for the states,
in conjunction with cities and counties, to develop revised
clean air plans that will bring non-attainment areas into com-
pliance by December 31, 1982.
3. Failure to complete a plan approved by USEPA by July 1, 1979
will result in Congressionally mandated sanctions over which
USEPA has no control.
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Clearly, representatives from industry, local government and state
government must work together to develop plans to attain all of the
ambient air quality standards everywhere. Such a partnership will
insure responsible growth, while protecting public health and prop-
erty.
Sin
Valdas V. Ad
Acting Regio:
GPO 82O—474
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