EPA 910/9-91-030
v>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle WA 98101
Alaska
Idaho
Oregon
Washington
Air & Toxics Division
Air Programs Branch
March 1992
Air Pollution and the
New Clean Air Act:
What It Is and How It Affects the
Northwest
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Air Pollution and the New Clean Air Act
What It Is and How It Affects the Northwest
An air inversion has trapped pollution close to the ground forming a distinct smog layer.
Air Pollution
The American Lung Association
estimates that the health costs asso-
ciated with air pollution are $40 to $50
billion per year.
Particulate pollution, carbon mon-
oxide, and smog are three common
types of air pollution in the Northwest.
Particulate matter is made up of tiny
particles less than 1/100th the width
of a human hair. We can breathe
particulate matter deeply into our
lungs where it may cause difficulty
breathing and lung damage. Particu-
late pollution comes from many
sources including some natural
causes, industry, and woodstoves.
Carbon monoxide comes mostly
from motor vehicles. It is a colorless
and odorless gas that impairs the
ability of blood to carry oxygen. This
can affect the heart, lung, and
brain.
Smog is the brownish haze that
appears on sunny days. Its major
component is ozone. This harmful
ozone near the earth's surface is
created by a chemical reaction
between sunlight and pollutants in
the air, such as auto and industrial
emissions. Ozone can cause
difficulty breathing and lung
damage. It also damages crops and
forests. Ozone is beneficial when it
occurs high in the atmosphere
where it protects us from harmful
ultraviolet radiation.
In addition to these three common
types of pollution, hundreds of chemi-
cals used daily by our industrial soci-
ety may cause cancer, birth defects,
or other health problems. We are
exposed to toxic air pollution from
familiar sources, such as our wood
stoves and the gasoline that we put
into our cars, as well as from exotic
chemicals used by industry.
Thinning of the high-altitude pro-
tective ozone layer, acid rain, and
climate change are global environ-
mental problems. Chlorofluorocar-
bons or CFCs (used in refrigeration
and air conditioning), carbon dioxide,
and methane contribute to global cli-
mate change. CFCs also destroy the
Earth's high-altitude ozone layer
which protects us from the sun's ul-
traviolet rays. These rays can cause
skin cancer, cataracts, depress the
immune system, and damage plants.
Large amounts of sulfur dioxide in
the lower atmosphere cause acid rain
that damages forests and lakes. Sul-
fur dioxide is a by-product of burning
fossil fuels like oil and coal.
Weather systems and air pollution occur in the troposphere while high-
altitude ozone forms a protective layer within the stratosphere.
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Air Pollution and the New Clean Air Act
What It Is and How It Affects the Northwest
Each area of the nation has its own
unique air pollution problems but
motor vehicles are a major source of
pollution in urban areas everywhere.
Exhaust from motor vehicles contrib-
utes to half of the smog problem, 90%
of the carbon monoxide pollution, and
over half of the toxic air pollution.
The percentage of air pollution from
industry varies greatly from place to
place. Averaged nationally, it ac-
counts for about half of all pollution.
In Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and
Idaho, which comprise EPA's Region
10, industry plays a somewhat smaller
role overall but can be a big part of the
problem in specific locations.
Both nationally and in the North-
west, about half of all industrial pollu-
tion comes from small sources like
dry cleaners, graphic arts, auto body
shops, and gas stations. Each small
business may contribute only a small
amount of pollution but together their
emissions can add up.
Woodstoves and outdoor burning
are a much bigger part of the air
pollution problem in the Northwest,
than they are nationally. Woodstove
pollution is an especially serious prob-
lem because it occurs in residential
areas where more people breathe it
for longer periods of time than pollu-
tion in industrial areas. A study con-
ducted in the Puget Sound areafound
that indoor levels of pollution from
woodstoves were almost as high as
the outdoor levels - even in homes
without woodstoves.
Rapid growth in parts of the North-
west has compounded our air pollu-
tion problems. Each new person
moving into the area represents more
miles traveled by car, more wood
stoves, and more industries, large
and small - all adding pollutants to the
air.
In addition, our special Northwest
weather both helps and hurts us. The
rains help to cleanse the air of pollu-
tion, but mountains and periodic stag-
nant regional weather patterns block
air flow. Pollution becomes trapped
near the ground where it can accu-
mulate to unhealthy levels.
National Sources of Air Pollution
Motor Vehicles
Woodsmoke
Industry
Each area of the nation has its own unique air pollution problems. These are
average contributions - specific sources of pollution can significantly vary the
percentages at specific locations.
Northwest Sources of Air Pollution
Motor Vehicles
Woodsmoke
Industry
These are average contributions - each state within the region has its own
unique mix of air pollution problems. Urban areas often differ from rural areas.
Different industries in each state result in different types of emissions.
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Air Pollution and the New Clean Air Act
What It Is and How It Affects the Northwest
The Clean Air Act affects everyone.
1970 Clean Air Act
During the 1960's people became
aware of the environmental problems
caused by industrialization and mod-
ernization. Smog hung over major
cities. Buildings were blackened by
paniculate pollution and eroded by
acid rain. Rivers, lakes and trees
became unhealthy from exposure to
pollution.
To address these problems, Con-
gress passed the first comprehensive
Clean Air Act in 1970. The law man-
dated the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) address airquality prob-
lems by setting national health stan-
dards for specific air pollutants (such
as carbon monoxide, ozone, particu-
late, sulfur dioxide, and lead). EPA
also set emission limits for automo-
biles and some industries, as well as
establishing compliance requirements.
A major achievement of this law was
the phase-out of lead in gasoline which
resulted in a 94% decrease in lead
emissions at a cost of less than a
penny a gallon.
The law also called for EPA to
regulate any air pollutant determined
to be hazardous. Controversy and
litigation slowed EPA's regulatory ef-
forts; by 1990, only seven hazardous
substances were regulated. Con-
gress recognized the need for new
ways to reduce air pollution.
The 1990 Clean Air Act
Amendments
Many hours of work by Congres-
sional staff, environmental groups,
industry representatives, state and
local air agencies, and the EPA led to
the development and passage of the
1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. The
New Clean Air Act (CAA) will require
a renewed commitment by individu-
als, government, and industry to
achieve success.
How does the New Clean
Air Act work?
Everyone will play a part in making
the Clean Air Act successful.
State Governments
The states are partners with the
federal government to achieve the
goals of the CAA. Most already
have strong air pollution control
programs. The CAA builds on
these existing state programs and
on previous CAA requirements.
Some important programs that
each state must have include:
• control programs and regulations
to bring pollution down to below
the national standards for carbon
monoxide, ozone, and particu-
late matter;
• a motor vehicle emissions test-
ing program in urban areas where
carbon monoxide or ozone are a
problem;
• a permit program for businesses
and industries;
• a small business assistance pro-
gram to help smaller companies
meet the new requirements of
the law;
• an effective enforcement program
to assure compliance.
Each state must develop their own laws to address their unique air pollution problems.
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Air Pollution and the New Clean Air Act
What It Is and How It Affects the Northwest
Local Governments and Agencies
Each state will develop air quality
requirements based on their spe-
cific air pollution problems. These
programs and requirements may
be delegated to local agencies or
governments. Larger Indian tribes
will also develop their own air pol-
lution programs.
Local transportation planning au-
thorities, economic development
councils, and similar agencies may
also be a part of regional air quality
improvement programs.
Industries and Business
This new law affects businesses
and industries, large and small.
Any production process which
gives off any type of vapor or emis-
sion may be regulated and need a
permit from the state or local
agency. Many smaller companies
that have never been regulated
before will be affected.
EPA and state agencies have pro-
grams to help companies to find
ways to reduce pollution and save
money. In addition to new regula-
tory programs, EPA has several
voluntary programs to encourage
good environmental practices. Call
the Region 10 office or your state
agency for more information.
For smaller companies, each state
and some local agencies are de-
veloping small business compli-
ance and technical assistance pro-
grams. The Small Business Ad-
ministration provides special low-
interest loans to help companies
meet environmental requirements.
Individuals
We often envision smoking indus-
trial stacks when we think of air
pollution. Industrial pollution is a
major problem, especially in some
areas, but wood stoves and auto-
mobiles also contribute to air pollu-
tion. Woodstoves give off particu-
late matter which causes shortterm
and chronic respiratory problems.
In many areas of the Northwest,
temporary burning bans are es-
Pierce County, Transit System in Washington has been a national leader in
alternative fuels for mass transit systems. Their fleet is the largest natural gas
powered system in the nation.
Photo: Courtesy of Washington Natural Gas Company
tablished when air quality is poor.
It is important that these burn bans
are obeyed. Individuals may want
to consider using less polluting
sources of fuel to heat their homes,
such as electricity, natural gas, or
heating oils.
Air emissions from motor vehicles
can be reduced by walking, or us-
ing mass transit, carpools, or bi-
cycles. Keeping the family car in
good working order will also help
reduce atr emissions and save gas.
The CAA provides several meth-
ods for people to become actively
involved in their communities.
Some individuals may want to par-
ticipate on workgroups that de-
velop state regulations to control
air pollution. Everyone will have
the opportunity to comment on
these new regulations through the
public hearing process. The gen-
eral public will also have an oppor-
tunity to review and comment on
air permits before they are issued
to local businesses and industry.
The CAA also enables citizens to
report permit violations or even to
sue companies for violations if the
state or EPA fails to take action.
Environmental Protection Agency
Passage of the CAA was only the
first step in the regulatory process.
EPA is developing over 400 new
regulations needed to implement
the Act. EPA, environmental
groups, and industries are working
together to develop these regula-
tions. They will look for technolo-
gies that protect the environment
while being economically practi-
cal.
The CAA granted strong new en-
forcement powers to the states
and EPA to assure that these new
regulations would befollowed. The
state air agencies have primary
responsibility for compliance moni-
toring and enforcement. EPA will
take enforcement action if the state
is unable or if the state requests
EPA assistance. The CAA grants
EPA civil penalty authority of up to
$25,000 per violation per day. New
criminal provisions of the CAA will
mean jail sentences of from one to
fifteen years.
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Air Pollutionand the New Clean Air Act
What It Is and How It Affects the Northwest
Non-Attainment Areas for Ozone (O3)
Non-Attainment Areas for Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Non-Attainment Areas for Particulate Matter(PM10)
Each state has "pockets" of pollution. These pockets are classified as non-
attainment areas. States, local governments, industries, and citizens will work
together to achieve reductions in air pollution in these areas. Key: Ozone,
Carbon Monoxide and Particulate Matter.
Key elements of the New
Clean Air Act
Air Quality Non-Attainment
"Non-attainment" is the word used
for areas where air pollution is
above levels safe for public health
or the environment. The CAA es-
tablishes new deadlines for states
to develop and implement plans to
achieve air standards for smog
(low-altitude ozone), carbon mon-
oxide, and particulate. The law
requires economic sanctions
against states that fail to meet the
standards by the deadlines or fail
to make adequate progress to-
wards meeting the standards.
Hazardous Air Pollutants
The new Clean Air Act requires a
technology-based approach to ad-
dress toxic emissions at the
sources. All types of industries
and businesses, large and small,
are covered by this law. The Act
allows the industry or business to
be innovative in its approach to
reducing emissions. Some of the
ways to control emissions are by
changes in processes, by substi-
tuting less toxic materials, or en-
closing the systems. This will allow
reduction in emissions throughout
the process.
Acid Rain
The law will cut acid rain causing
sulfur dioxide emissions from
power plants (the major source of
these emissions) in half by the
year 2000. Once this level is
reached, it is to be permanently
maintained, no matter how many
more power plants are built. EPA
is developing a market-based trad-
ing program to assist power plants
in making these reductions. Each
plant will receive a number of "al-
lowances" based on its past fuel
consumption and emission rate.
Plants will be able to trade or sell
their emission allowances if they
reduce emissions beyond the re-
quired amount. The state of Alaska
is exempt from this portion of the
CAA. Although acid rain is not yet
a problem in the Northwest, these
provisions will help to assure that
our fragile alpine ecosystems re-
main undamaged.
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Air Pollution and the New Clean Air Act
What It Is and How It Affects the Northwest
Permits
Many states already have permit
programs. Mostprogramswillneed
some changes, though, to meet all
of the requirements of the CAA.
As part of their permit, many com-
panies will be required to maintain
recorded data from their monitor-
ing equipment. This data will be
reviewed by the state agencies to
assure that companies are at all
times in compliance with the law. A
responsible corporate official will
also have to certify annually that
his company is meeting the condi-
tions of their permit.
Motor Vehicles
New stringent tailpipe standards
for cars, buses and trucks will be
developed. In areas within Region
10 with carbon monoxide prob-
lems, oxygenated fuels which are
cleaner burning will be available.
Some areas will institute auto emis-
sions testing programs called In-
spection & Maintenance (I/M).
Areas with existing programs may
improve those programs.
Ozone Depletion
Thinning of the ozone layer is a
global problem. Sixty-eight nations
from across the world signed an
agreement, called the Montreal
Protocol, which calls for each na-
tion to reduce the use of CFCs.
The new Clean Air Act requires a
complete phase-out of CFC pro-
duction in the United States.
To further control emissions which
cause ozone depletion, new regu-
lations on the re-use and recycling
of air conditioning units will be
implemented. EPA will require spe-
cial training courses for those who
handle CFCs. Industries are de-
veloping safer alternatives to the
ozone-damaging chemicals in
these units. EPA will be reviewing
these alternatives to ensure that
they are safe for public health and
the environment.
Keeping motor vehicles in good working order helps keep the air cleaner.
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Air Pollution and the New Clean Air Act
What It Is and How It Affects the Northwest
What You Can Do to Make a Difference
The new Clean Air Act will make a
big difference in controlling air
pollution. It will achieve significant
cuts in emissions from industry, elec-
tric power utilities, and car and truck
tailpipes. It will create an industrial
permit program to focus the many
new requirements. It will enable EPA
and the states to assure compliance
with the new requirements through
strong enforcement tools. But regu-
latory programs alone may not solve
our air quality problems.
You can make a difference, too.
Sometimes it may seem that our indi-
vidual actions don't add up to much.
As more individuals become con-
cerned about how their actions affect
the air we breathe and change their
habits, the air quality for everyone will
improve. As a bonus, low polluting
actions are often more healthy and
economical for us.
A lot of information is now avail-
able on how individuals can re-
duce pollution. Most bookstores
have good selections. You can also
call the agencies listed on this page to
receive free information. Here are
some ideas to get you started:
Save Energy: Saving energy re-
duces air pollution and the gases that
contribute to global climate change.
• Usepubllctransportation, carpool, bike,
or walk
• Drive a fuel efficient car
• Keep your car well tuned
• Use radial tires and keep them properly
inflated
• Insulate your home
• Insulate your water heater
• Turn down the thermostat
• Turn off lights
• Use energy efficient appliances and
heating equipment
• Use fluorescent in place of incandes-
cent lightbulbs
Recycle/Reuse: Recycling and re-
use save energy and resources, re-
duce air pollution and the need for
landfills, and reduce the gases that
contribute to global climate change.
• Recycle aluminum, glass, and paper
• Compost yard waste (instead of burning
or landfilling)
• Take your own re-useable grocery bags
to the store
• Buy products with a minimum of
packaging
• Buy products with recycled packaging,
reusable or recyclable
containers.
• Buy products made with recycled
materials
Become Involved: If most of us do some of the things listed above
together we will make a big difference. Some people will want to do more'
Here are some suggestions on how to get involved:
• Learn more about environmental issues
' Write letters to your legislators
(call your local library for names and addresses)
• Support the passage of local, state, and federal laws and international treaties that
protect the environment
• Consider joining and supporting an environmental group
• Purchase from environmentally responsible businesses
• Start a recycling program at work or in your community
Who to contact for more information
U.S. EPA Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101
at 1-800-424-4EPA or 206-553-5810.
Washington Department of Ecology
Air Quality Program, PV-11
Olympia, Washington 98504
206-459-6000
Oregon Dept of Environmental Quality
Air Quality Division
811 S.W. Sixth
Portland, Oregon 97204
503-229-5359
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Air Quality Management Section
410 Willoughby Avenue
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1795
907-465-5100
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Division of Environmental Quality
1410 North Hilton, Statehouse Mail
Boise, Idaho 83720-9000
208-334-5860
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Air Pollution and the New Clean Air Act
What It Is and How It Affects the Northwest
Facts about the Environment:
The electricity needed for lighting in this country would be cut by 50% if energy
efficient lighting were used just where it was profitable.
Replacing a common incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient compact fluores-
cent saves 300 pounds of carbon dioxide, 1.4 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 0.8 pounds
of nitrogen oxides per year.
It also realizes a 37.5 percent annual return on investment.
More efficient lighting would reduce other forms of pollution, also, such as boiler ash,
scrubber waste, acidic mine drainage, natural gas leakage, and the production of
greenhouse gases that cause global warming.
For each ton of paper recycled, nearly 2 tons of lumber and 24,000 gallons of water
are saved.
Recycling paper uses 30 to 55% less energy than making paper from trees; and it
reduces related air pollution by 95%.
Over a billion trees are used to make disposable diapers each year.
About 50% of paper in the U.S. is used just for packaging.
Most cereal boxes and many cookie and cracker boxes are made from recycled
cardboard. It's easy to tell - the boxes are gray on the inside. Paper towels and toilet
paper are also often made from recycled paper.
Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.
Recycling aluminum uses 90% less energy than refining aluminum from raw materials;
and it reduces related air pollution by 95%.
Most aluminum bauxite, the ore from which aluminum is made, is imported.
Every three months, the U.S. throws away enough aluminum to rebuild our commercial
airfleet.
A recycled aluminum can is typically re-melted and back in the store within six weeks.
Recent NASA data show that the protective ozone layer over the U.S. is being depleted
at double the rate of earlier estimates.
One chlorine atom from a chlorofluorocarbon (CFG) molecule can destroy up to 100,000
molecules of ozone.
CFC use in most aerosol cans was banned by the Federal government in 1978. CFCs
are still used in about 10% of aerosols, so read labels carefully.
Even non-CFC aerosol sprays aren't benign: propane and butane, the most common
propellants in aerosols today, help create smog.
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