EPA PM ADVANCE IMPROVING AIR QUALITY IN KITTITAS COUNTY Holly Myers Kimberly Sarver Environmental Health Environmental Health Supervisor Specialist Board of Health Ellensburg, WA August 18 th , 2016
Washington Air Quality Advisory (WAQA) Good 0-12 Moderate 12-20 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 20-35 Unhealthy 35-80 Very Unhealthy 80-150 Hazardous 150+ Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
How Bad is Our Air? 1/3/11 8/2/12 24 hour average PM2.5 = 47.0 ug/m 3 24 hour average PM2.5 = 3.9 ug/m 3 Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
Winter PM2.5 Emissions (Kittitas; 2011) Summer PM2.5 Emissions (Kittitas; 2011) AG_DUST, 3% RWC, 0% AG_OTHER, 6% FIRE_RES, 2% AG_DUST, 14% AG_OTHER, 1% CONSTR, FIRE_RX, 0% 6% CONSTR, 5% FIRE_RES, 2% RWC, 32% RD_DUST, 27% FIRE_RX, 1% FIRE_WF, 0% FOOD, 4% FIRE_WF, 26% NRM_REC, 3% OTHER, 3% ORM_DIES_EXH, 11% ORM_GAS_EXH, RD_DUST, 15% 4% ORM_DIES_EXH, 17% FOOD, 4% ORM_GAS_EXH, OTHER, 2% 10% NRM_REC, 3% Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
What is Non-Attainment? Definition: “Air quality in a particular region does not meet (or attain) federal health standards” Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
Roof of Hal Holmes Center in Ellensburg EPA Monitors for 3 Years PM2.5 Standards o Annual mean (averaged over 3 years) : 12 𝜈 𝑛 3 o 24 hr mean (averaged over 3 years): 35 𝜈 𝑛 3 A Nephelometer Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
What if? State Implementation Plan • Healthy Air – How and When • Addresses all sources, enforceable OR… Federal/State Agency Plan Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
Example: Tacoma Pierce County Source: airsafepiercecounty.org Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
Survey 2014 – AQ Assessment Goals Approximate # of Catalogue most occupied households with prevalent burning wood as primary heat behaviors (PM2.5 source (PM2.5 sources) sources) Interview Key informants Survey Community for their (beliefs, (beliefs, attitudes, attitudes, behaviors behaviors) about burning) Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
Survey 2014 – Beliefs & Attitudes regarding Air Quality 50% of Kittitas county 55% of residents agree residents agree that poor that poor air quality air quality is a significant happens mostly during environmental issue in our wildfire season. county. Over 50% of the county agree that wood stoves and 50% feel that agricultural fireplaces contribute to burning and diesel/highway poor air quality. Again, traffic exhaust are major almost one fifth aren’t sure; contributors. leaving one quarter of the county that disagrees. Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
Outreach & Education 2014-15 In conjunction with Ecology, KCPHD’s EH Division implemented an education campaign to raise community awareness of PM2.5 and cleaner burning practices… • Daily Record article series on PM2.5 • Air Quality bar added to the Daily Record weather page • Ecology created radio spots • Ecology created PSAs at the movies • Brochures and posters in libraries and post offices • Fliers sent out in response to burning/smoke complaints • Creation of an air quality website on the County EH page. Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
FOLLOW UP SURVEY 2015 Assess impact of outreach & Redesigned questions to get education an in-depth emissions inventory • “Re - test” original questions and find out what reached people • Frequency, amount, & type of solid fuel being burned Closer look at community Get more details about numbers of certified current burning practices equipment • Best practices listed out with frequency of engagement • Questions to cross tab self report with actual equipment Measure community KCPHD applied and sentiment regarding received a second grant interventions to prevent non- from Ecology to conduct this attainment follow up survey. Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
SURVEY COMPARISONS Knowledge of PM2.5 Ability to Identify a and AQ issues Certified Stove • Increased awareness % in 3 • Increased knowledge of out of 4 targeted outcomes personal woodstove awareness of non-certified vs. certified. Importance of Seasoned Knowledge of Illegal Wood Burning Materials • Increased the knowledge and • Decreased the % of people understanding of burning dry, that report cardboard, paper seasoned wood in place of and lumber is legal material to wet wood. burn. Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
EPA PM Advance Program 42 Active Participants Only For Attainment EPA Framework Voluntary Proactive Steps Areas and Support Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
Benefits Grant/Support Access Long-term health protection Provide cushion (cold winters/poor weather) Prepare for revised NAAQS Choose control measures that fit OUR community Multi-pollutant benefits Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
2016 August - September • Secure Stakeholder Participation (AQAC, BOH) • Send PM Advance Sign Up Letter to EPA 2017 March • Submit 5 Year Path Forward Plan 2018 - 2019 • Data Compiled by EPA To Assess Attainment Status Presented 08/18/2016, KCPHD
QUESTIONS? All images courtesy of Pixabay.com or KCPHD
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