EPA Kicks-Off Air Quality Awareness Week

As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) kicks-off Air Quality Awareness Week today, Westward discusses ozone in Bexar County and beyond.

The Federal Clean Air Act (FCAA) requires the EPA to regulate ozone under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).  The EPA mandates states to implement zone regulations through State Implementation Plans (SIPs). 

Within Texas, Bexar County was recently, July 17, 2018, designated as marginal (i.e., least severe) nonattainment for ozone. This means certain chosen air quality monitors in the area show ozone concentrations above its 2015 NAAQS (8-hr averaging time above 0.070 ppm). In fact, San Antonio was the last major city within Texas to reach nonattainment status for ozone.   

Of course, nonattainment status is not good news both for industry and the public. Emissions from industrial activities and combustion-fueled vehicles emit the photochemical emissions that contribute to ozone levels. Sunlight will convert the chemicals into ground-level ozone via very complex chemistry. This interaction can occur to produce high concentrations of ozone, otherwise known as smog. With smog, we often think of China, India or maybe even California, but smog can occur anywhere at any time when the right ingredients are introduced. 

See the images below to visualize ozone production and its impact to air quality.

Ozone Formation

Air Quality Impact

The San Antonio, Texas nonattainment area is now subject to nonattainment New Source Review (NSR) requirements implemented by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and other local regulatory agencies. NSR is a permitting program for industrial facilities to ensure that sources of ozone-producing emissions do not slow progress towards cleaner air. This area is required to meet the ozone NAAQS as soon as possible but no later that 3 years from the effective date of designation.       

Weather is unpredictable and also plays a role in ozone production. In fact, the largest ozone hole every recorded over the Arctic has closed, according to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS).

No matter where you live or work, air quality is essential for healthy humans and a healthy planet. Westward Environmental, Inc. (Westward) provides numerous air quality modeling and permitting strategies for industries. Additionally, Westward can assist clients with planning, coordinating and conducting air quality monitoring surveys.  #AQAW2020

For ways to reduce pollution, visit: https://www3.epa.gov/region1/airquality/reducepollution.html