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[Joint news release: SWAPCA, EPA, Ecology]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 1996
96-135
CONTACT:
Bob Elliott, SWPACA (360) 574-3058
Joe Williams, Ecology (360) 407-6880
Bill Hedgebeth, EPA (206) 553-7369
Larry Altose, Ecology (206) 649-7192
VANCOUVER AREA MEETS CARBON MONOXIDE AIR QUALITY STANDARD
VANCOUVER, WA -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has removed southern Clark County from its list of air pollution "non-attainment areas" for carbon monoxide. EPA's action follows years of efforts by the Southwest Air Pollution Control Authority (SWAPCA), the Department of Ecology and the region's businesses and private citizens. Officials noted, however, that preserving the area's air quality remains a concern.
"The Vancouver-Camas-Washougal area has met the federal outdoor air quality standard for carbon monoxide since 1990," said Robert Elliott, SWAPCA executive director. "The standard is set to protect public health, so this is an important achievement for our community."
EPA's action includes approval of a 10-year plan, adopted by SWAPCA earlier this year., The plan would prevent future carbon monoxide violations through the turnover and maintenance of motor vehicles. The wintertime oxygenated gasoline program will be discontinued, but could be reinstated if the area fails to stay within the carbon monoxide standard.
"As people retire older vehicles and replace them with newer ones, the average vehicle emission rate goes down, since newer vehicles have improved pollution controls," Elliott explained. "Meanwhile, the Emission Check Program will continue to identify vehicles that pollute excessively so they can be repaired. Our region can stay well within the carbon monoxide standard without oxygenated gasoline, so we can end that program."
"People made the difference," said Joe Williams, Ecology air quality program manager. "Motorists, businesses and homeowners all have been doing their part, including vehicle owners who maintain clean-running cars through Ecology's Emission Check Program. Vehicles are the number one air pollution source, so it's crucial to repair cars and trucks with high emissions. Also, our state's commute trip reduction law encourages people to use alternatives to get to work so their cars don't add to pollution. Our clean air success is the fruit of the Legislature's work in 1991 to update the state clean air act."
"Getting off this non-attainment list is an important milestone," noted Elliott, "but now we must pull together to stay a clean air community."
"We can't be complacent, even while we celebrate this accomplishment," added Anita Frankel, EPA regional air quality director. "We should not assume that we no longer need to pay attention to air quality. Our passionate love for driving alone, combined with our increasing population, could reverse our success."
EPA is considering applications to discontinue other non-attainment areas in the Port-land-Vancouver region. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has petitioned EPA to remove Portland from the list of carbon monoxide non-attainment areas. Agencies on both sides of the state line also have been preparing separate, coordinated applications to de-list the Portland-Vancouver ozone smog non-attainment area.
"It will take continued effort from all of us to keep ozone and carbon monoxide in check," said Williams. "Emission rates may be at new lows, but our population and traffic growth can overwhelm these technical advances."
Carbon monoxide is a clear, odorless gas, produced by combustion. It affects the body's ability to obtain oxygen from the air. It especially affects infants, small children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with chronic heart disease.
Carbon monoxide levels are highest when calm, cold weather traps pollution near the ground in the fall and winter. During that time southern Clark County's carbon monoxide emissions amount to approximately 324 tons per day. The area's major sources are:
Motor vehicles 51%
Major industries 21%
Wood stoves and fireplaces 19%
Other 9%
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
