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Stricter Air Standards Proposed: Mecklenburg Pollution Levels Would Likely Fall Within New Limits

Posted on: Thursday, 22 December 2005, 09:00 CST

By Bruce Henderson, The Charlotte Observer, N.C., The Charlotte Observer, N.C.

Dec. 22--Cleaner air means Mecklenburg and most other N.C. counties will probably meet tougher new air-pollution standards, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday.

EPA proposed new limits on tiny airborne particles, like those in smoke and diesel soot. The smallest of those particles have been linked, in a growing number of studies, to asthma, irregular heartbeats, heart attacks and early death.

Because those fine particles can be so dangerous, EPA wants to sharply reduce their concentration in the air. The agency proposed cutting the safe level, measured over 24 hours, by nearly half.

Measurements over the past three years show Mecklenburg's air is just within the proposed level, air quality director Don Willard said.

That's also true of most, but not all, N.C. counties. Catawba, Davidson and Forsyth are among a few counties that might struggle to meet a tougher standard, state data show.

EPA estimates that the number of U.S. counties breaking fine-particle limits would jump from 116 now to 191 under the new standard.

"We don't think we'll have a whole lot of trouble meeting the standard," said Tom Mather of the N.C. Division of Air Quality.

One reason for optimism: Fine-particle levels have been dropping since North Carolina began measuring them in 1999. Big polluters like coal-fired power plants and motor vehicles are running more cleanly under federal mandates.

EPA will make a final decision on the fine-particle standard following a 90-day public comment period. Counties breaking the standard will be named in 2009 and have until 2015 to improve.

The agency also proposed a new standard for coarser particles that can be inhaled. It would be enforced in 2018.

EPA last year named Catawba, Davidson and Guilford counties in violation of a different fine-particle standard, one based on annual rather than 24-hour readings. Mecklenburg remains just within the annual standard, which won't change under Wednesday's proposal.

Those counties came under federal rules meant to ensure that new or expanding industries don't further dirty the air. They will also have to prove their road-building plans won't increase pollution, or risk a delay or halt to federal transportation money.

Bruce Henderson: (704) 358-5051.

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Charlotte Observer, N.C.

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Source: The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)

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