Air Pollution - Research Paper Example

? Introduction The increase in globalization and industrialization has brought about a climatic change not just at regional level but at a global level. Industrial activities have influenced air quality largely. The rapid rise in population and the demand of energy are the main causes behind the emission of toxic substance and gases being released into the atmosphere and hence causing major damages to the human society and the natural ecosystem. Some developed countries have taken measures against the air pollution by making laws and policies and introducing green technologies. However, the rapid increase in industrialization has minimized the effect of these measures and millions of people are at risk by inhaling air containing harmful substances. Air pollution is a major problem in big industrial urban areas as compared to rural areas. Industrial, Vehicle and other types of smoke, CFCs and the greenhouse gasses are mixing up into the air that we inhale and the toxic substances in them act like slow poisons within our bodies (Gujrar, Molina and Ojha 1-14; Agarwal 1-6). We are focusing on the air pollution in general in first part of the paper and then specifically in United States. The top three greenest states and why are they called the green states will be discussed. Also the top three most polluted states and what are they doing to overcome the high level of pollutants in air will be discussed finally. Air pollution According to World Health Organization air pollution is “the contamination of the ecological system by any toxic chemical, physical or biological agent that alters the natural environment” (World Health Organization). Air is basically a mixture of many gases that are necessary to maintain the stratospheric balance. 99% of air consists of nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor and inert gasses. Some substances are released into the air via anthropogenic activities; however, some of them could be considerably harmful to the ecosystem (lbl.gov.). Pollutants “Substances that can cause harm to the ecosystem and the human beings are known as pollutants.” These substances can be in the form of solid particles like lead, liquid vapors like mercury, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and Halogen compounds. These can either be natural or anthropogenic (human created). Most common types of air pollutants are car emissions, chemical wastage from factories, dust, pollen, and mold spores. Pollutants can be classified into types: Primary pollutants and secondary pollutants. Primary Pollutants – are emissions discharged directly from a source. For example, volcanic eruptions or factory discharges (Gray). Secondary Pollutants- are formed as a consequence of reactions between primary pollutants and other substances found in the atmosphere for example Ozone that makes up smog (Gray). One of the most distinguishable characteristics of air pollutants is their transboundary nature that is they can travel to far and wide places away from their origins. The six major pollutants described by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are briefly discussed below (EPA; Gray): AIR POLLUTION IN UNITED STATES A study reports that more than 500,000 Americans die annually due to cardiopulmonary diseases caused by air pollution. In a recent economic study in Los Angeles Basin and San Joaquin valley of southern California it is shown that more than 3800 people face premature deaths annually (approx. 14 years earlier) because of the illegal amount of pollutants in the air. In 1948, Donora, Pennsylvania 20 died and more than 7000 were injured due to the worst ever smog disaster reported in U.S history (Peterman). The 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA) requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the conventional air toxics such as: Ozone, Particulate matter, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Sulfur dioxide and Lead. Out of which Ozone and Particulates are the biggest and primary threats. The act also enables EPA to restrict the emissions from chemical plants, utilities and steel mills. Through this act, the government instigated the use of low-sulfur fuels and the installment of Best Available Control Technology (BACT) to minimize the amount of air toxics (Fleming & Knorr). The NAAQS are of two types, primary standards, which deal with public health especially those considered “sensitive” such as, asthmatics, children and elderly. While secondary standards deal with public welfare problems such as harm to vegetation, animals and buildings. EPA has set these standards for above described toxics, called as “criteria” pollutants, measured in different units including ppm, ppb (EPA). GREEN STATES The threats to our ecosystem have made the consumers to think about going green that is adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle, which includes the use of biodegradable products and bio fuels. Similarly eco-friendly industrial processes are being adopted by companies and investors are the emphasis is paid on renewable energy sources to produce eco-safe or biodegradable products. In U.S. starting from cities level, counties and states all are involved in minimizing global warming effects. According to American Lung Association Hawaii, Montana and South Dakota are few of the green states of U.S. HAWAII Hawaii is the 42nd largest state having a population of 1,295,178. The annual production of toxic waste is the least (987 tons) as most of its revenue (25%) is generated via tourism. The state received highest scores form EPA’s Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators toxics (Huff Post Green) while American Lung Association gave Hawaii the highest ranking in its Annual state of the Air report. Hawaii does not seem to possess serious air pollution problems. However, with the growth of industrialization and the global climatic changes possess considerable risk. The association has given Honolulu County an “A” grade because of its lowest particle pollution and ozone levels, the other counties were not included because of the incomplete monitoring however, Maui also passed the annual air assessment. The data of air quality was extracted from EPA’s AQS database. The concentration of pollutants was assessed on daily basis (ALA): The Department of Health, Hawaii has an Air quality department which consists of two branches, the Clean Air Branch and the Indoor Air Quality. The Clean Air Branch (CAB) is responsible for the control of air pollution in the state. This branch executes engineering analyses and permitting, monitoring and investigations, and implements federal and state air pollution control rules and regulations. The Indoor Quality Branch is responsible for the identification and prevention of hazardous domestic activities and to minimize public exposure to indoor pollutants. It comprises of sub-programs such as Community Noise control, Radiation Control, AC/ventilation, asbestos and Lead-based paint program. All these programs include the enforcement of certain regulations that deal with keeping the pollutant concentration to a minimum (EPA). In 2011, The Clean Air Branch has granted an air permit to Hu Honoa Bioenergy to refurbish Hilo Coast Power plant into a modern biomass facility where the locally grown biomass material and non-mulchable wood would be used (Hawaii Free Press). Recently First Wind, a U.S. based wind energy company has started the biggest wind project called Kawailoa Wind project on Oahu’s north shores whose capacity is 69 megawatt. The project will produce enough renewable energy to provide electricity to thousands of families in Oahu (Power Engineering). MONTANA Montana has the third lowest population (974,989) in the country. It is also nick-named as “Big Sky Country” as it is found to have the lowest smog levels in the whole country. Montana is ranked 9th in Carbon footprint which is 37.7 million metric tons. However, the low pollution levels are also due to less population (Huff Post Green). According to ALA data, Flathead County obtained ‘A’ grade in smog levels: The Air Quality Compliance program of the state’s department of environmental quality is responsible to enforce and implement the CAA. The program deals with the identification, regulation and compliance of levels air toxics emitted in different environment. It is also responsible for the reviewing of the draft legislation and administrative rules. The department also supports air quality models as described by EPA. The department has devised several policies and plans to regulate air pollution such as smoke management. The Air Quality Monitoring program of Montana works along with local air pollution agencies and some industries to monitor the air quality and provide information regarding ambient air quality conditions state wide (Montana Department of Environmental Quality). Moreover, Montana is one of the few states with state implementation plan under the supervision of EPA. One of the main reasons of the better air quality of Montana is its strict policies. Recently the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has immediately imposed a penalty on PPL’s J.E. Corette’s power plant on emitting high levels of air toxics and hence violating air control standard (Bozeman Daily Chronicle). SOUTH DAKOTA South Dakota has a population of 812,383, fifth-lowest in the United States. Only 14 EPA violations are reported since 2000, which by far are the lowest among the states. The annual toxic waste generation is around 1214 tons and in 2010 it was reported to be around 1200 tons only making it the second lowest toxic waste generator state. Moreover, it is the third state that produces 13.7 million metric tons carbon footprints per annum (Huff Post Green). Four South Dakota counties, Custer, Jackson, Meade and Minnehaha were ranked ‘A’ by ALA in maintaining lowest smog levels. The Brown County was ranked ‘A’ in maintaining lowest particle pollution. The other counties received a ‘B’ supporting South Dakota as one of the greenest states. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), South Dakota hosts the Air Quality Program which regulates the air quality of the state. The department maintains air pollution levels according to the NAAQS by assessing ambient air quality, issuing permits and providing compliance to industries that emit air toxics throughout the state. Under the state implementation plan with EPA, South Dakota’s DENR is responsible to monitor levels of air toxics as devised by EPA. According to the action plan of 2011 the air quality monitoring network is working to ensure that the state meets the federal NAAQS. The network is continuously assessed in order to keep it up-to-date with the latest trends for example the areas to be monitored are added or subtracted as population or industrious changes or there is an indication of elevation or decrease in pollution levels. Other control programs include Natural Events Action Plan (NEAP) since South Dakota is a highland therefore it is subjected to high winds and therefore massive amounts of transient dust. The department also conducts Smoke School Certification however, open burning under the law is allowed in the state. Only burning of certain material like tires and treated wood is prohibited. The current SIP is being reviewed by EPA for the recently approved Regional Haze Rules that are devised to safeguard the visibility of Wind Cave and Badlands National Parks. A Smoke Management Program is also under development. LEAST GREEN STATES While some states with their strict environmental protection rules and regulations are designated as green, some of the states have dangerous amounts of pollutant levels making them the least greenest. It is quite an embarrassment for the country which is struggling to maintain the natural environment through progressive development in green technology. The survey conducted by 24/7 Wallstreet in which they have listed 10 states as the least green we have chosen three states, Kentucky, Texas and Pennsylvania (Huff Post Green). KENTUCKY Kentucky is the 26th largest populated state with 4,314,113 residents. According to the Wall Street survey it ranks poorly in almost every category. It ranks 43rd for the emitting carcinogenic toxins, 44th for developmental and 41st for emitting reproductive toxins. The state produces 132 thousand tons of toxic waste every year and ranks 39th in releasing Carbon footprints of 156 million metric tons. ALA ranks sixteen of Kentucky counties as ‘F’ for having dangerous levels of smog. A few most dangerous ones are listed in the following table: While some of the above described counties also ranked ‘C’ in particulate pollution showing a few orange and red days. The major problem of Kentucky is its smog and particulate pollution levels. The Air Quality Division of the state’s environment hosts many programs to maintain air quality. The Air Monitoring program has been monitoring the air quality. The Air Permit program is an online program that provides open information regarding permits and compliances within the scope of the department. Another program implemented from 2008 is the Air Toxics Program which ensures that industries within the state abide by the toxic emission regulations as devised by the Clean Air Act and EPA. The division also deals with the Asbestos control and the well trained staff provides guidance to people who work in asbestos environment. The division is also strongly dedicated to provide environmental education and awareness in the common public and for this a school outreach program has been designed where speakers educate students regarding different environmental topics. The division also uses EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tool Program to help students identify and prevent indoor air pollution (Energy and Environment Cabinet, Kentucky). Kentucky’s transportation cabinet also hosts a program ‘Congestion Mitigation and Air quality (CMAQ) that works on the reduction in traffic overpopulation and improvement of the air quality. Moreover, EPA’s Cross Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) for Kentucky will also help in reduction of air pollution in future and the improved air and thus health quality will result in 1400 fewer premature deaths. TEXAS Texas is the second largest populated state. It is also the second largest annual GDP generator of the country which is around $1.14 trillion. It also produces the greatest amount of wind energy in the country. Texas generates 13.4 million tons of toxic waste and 184 million metric tons of Carbon footprints being an industrial state, however; it ranks last in the survey due to the production of highest amount of toxics and carbon footprints in the country (Huff Post Green). ALA ranks fourteen counties as ‘F’ for producing harmful levels of smog, while Ellis was ranked ‘F’ in producing particle pollution. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been working rigorously to improve the air quality of the state. The department claims to use the latest technology, techniques and strategies to improve the ambient air quality of the state. In 2009 the use of modern gas-imaging cameras that can locate plumes of VOCs emissions begun in Houston-Galveston-Brazoria ozone non-attainment area (HGB), The department’s ‘Mas Emission Cap and Trade Program for NOx in HGB reduced the NOx levels for thousands of sources by around 80% (2002-08). For Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) eight hours ozone non-attainment area a set of rules were adopted to reduce NOx concentrations (March, 09-10). In 2006 rules were devised for sources that release Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) and in 2007 in Harris County limits were placed on the emissions of HRVOCs. The state has also provided enormous funds to sponsor two fields, Texas Air Quality Study (TexAQS) and Texas Air Quality Study II (TexAQS II), these studies include research, devising regulations and improvement of air quality of the state. The TexAQS has started its mission with the improvement of emission inventories which was followed by better air quality planning. The major success of the program was the learning that helped planners to understand unique meteorological factors that affect ozone levels. The TexAQA II is an extended program covering a wider area and has helped in revising the SIP to meet the EPA standards. The department’s Innovative Programs for preventing pollution are also helping the industries and small businesses to join hands in improving the air quality. The Texas Department of Transportation is also taking part in improving the air quality. In 2011 a campaign in Lone star state by the name of ‘Drive Clean Across Texas’ was launched (Kim). The EPA’s devised CSAPRs are also helping the state to lower air pollution particularly smog and particulate levels. These rules will bring about a healthy change in the state by 1700 fewer premature deaths by 2014. Moreover, the rule will help people enjoy a smog free environment, would increase visibility in national parks and thus a healthy eco-system in the state (Texas Green Report). PENNSYLVANIA Pennsylvania is the 6th largest state by population and is the 6th largest GDP generator of United States which is about $554.3 billion. It generates 290 thousand tons of toxic waste and 274 million metric tons of Carbon footprints annually. The facts are not very surprising because with coal, steel and natural gas industries, it is a well-known industrial state (Huff post Green). ALA ranked 20 counties of Pennsylvania as ‘F’ in producing dangerous levels of smog. Some of the counties having highest smog levels are shown in the following table: While 5 counties were ranked ‘F’ in producing high levels of particle pollution while Allegheny county failed to meet the standards with its immensely high levels of particulate pollution with a weighted average of 32.5 and 93 orange and 3 red days. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Air Quality Bureau division has been working rigorously to reduce air pollution from the state which according to a study is a reason of premature deaths for thousands of people. The state is revising the SIP for regional haze as required by EPA. The state is also working on the reduction of fine particulate pollution and in 2010 the state submitted as revised SIP to EPA which showed Philadelphia County attained the PM2.5 NAAQS. Similarly a revised SIP for Smog reduction has been submitted to EPA for approval which shows that DEP has achieved carried out the demands of Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) under 8-hour Ozone NAAQS. The ‘Drive Clean Pennsylvania’ program co-developed by Transportation and Environmental Departments is designed to meet the air quality standards by inspecting the vehicle emissions. Moreover, EPA’s devised CSAPR in Pennsylvania would improve air quality immensely which would result in 2900 fewer premature deaths in the state. References Berkeley Lab: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. U.S. Department of Energy. “Indoor and Outdoor Pollution.” 01 Mar 2012, Energy and Environment Cabinet: Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection. Division for Air Quality. 01 Mar 2012. Web. “First Wind Starts Construction of Hawaii’s Largest Wind Project.” Power Engineering. 28 Feb 2012. Web. Fleming & Knorr. “History of the Clean Air Act.” American Meteorological Society. 1999. Web. 01 Mar 2012. < http://www.ametsoc.org/sloan/cleanair/> Gray. “Air Pollutants, Types and Classification.” Tropical-Rainforest-Animals.com. 01 Mar 2012 Gujrar, Molina, and Chandra S. P. Ojha. “Air Pollution: Health and Environmental Impacts.” Florida: CRC Press, 2010. Print. “Haze? No Way-ze!” Texas Green Report. Feb 01 2012. Web. Kim. “Texas continues “Drive Clean” campaign to improve air quality.” Dallasnews. 30 Aug 2011. Web. Montana Department of Environmental Quality. Air Pollution Topics. 01 Mar 2012. Web. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Bureau of Air Quality. 01 Mar 2012. Web. “Pepeekeo Biomass Plant Granted Air Pollution Permit.” Hawai’i Free Press. 02 Sep 2011. Web. “PPL Montana settles pollution violations.” Bozeman Daily Chronicle. 17 Feb 2012. Web. Peterman. “A Cloud With a Silver Lining: The Killer Smog in Donora, 1948.” The Pennsylvania Center for the Book. Spring 2009. Web. 01 Mar 2012. < http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/DonoraSmog.html> South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Air Quality Program. 01 Mar 2012. Web. State Of The Air. 2011. American Lung Association. Web. 01 Mar 2012. < http://www.stateoftheair.org/> Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. “Air.” 01 Mar 2012. Web. “The Top Ten Greenest States in U.S.” Huff Post Green, The Internet News Paper: News, Blogs, Video Community. Web. 2011. < http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/22/greenest-states-us-top-10_n_852683.html#s268412&title=10_Colorado> “The Top Ten Least Green States in U.S.” Huff Post Green, The Internet News Paper: News, Blogs, Video Community. Web. 2011. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Air and Radiation Topics. 01 Mar 2012. < http://www.epa.gov/air/index.html> World Health Organization. “Health Topics: Air Pollution.” 01 Mar 2012. Read More