DEP Expands Particulate Matter Air Monitoring Network April 27, 2016

Transcription

1 DEP Expands Particulate Matter Air Monitoring Network April 27, 2016 Dial-in number for audio: Access code: WebEx Technical Support: Tom Wolf, Governor John Quigley, Secretary

2 Agenda Facilitator: Neil Shader, Press Secretary Introduction: John Quigley, DEP Secretary Areas of Change, Air Quality Index and Forecasting: Nick Lazor, Environmental Program Manager in Bureau of Air Quality Wrap up: Secretary Quigley Q and A for credentialed media 2

3 Introduction We have heard citizens of this commonwealth express concerns about air quality in areas near natural gas activities, said DEP Secretary John Quigley. With this expansion, we can better assess the ambient air in the natural gas regions. -- John Quigley, DEP Secretary 3

4 Background Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) pollution is the result of a wide range of industrial processes and fuel combustion Human health impacts include decreased lung function and increased respiratory symptoms Young children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory problems are especially vulnerable 10% to 12% of Pennsylvanians have asthma or asthmarelated symptoms (based on 2014 data) Asthma related data can be found at this link: DDIE/Pages/EDDIE.aspx#.VxehhqDD-Ul 4

5 Background Citizens of the commonwealth have expressed concerns about air quality in areas near unconventional natural gas activities including compressor station operations In January 2016, DEP launched an expansion of the PM 2.5 air monitoring network to obtain ambient air quality monitoring data in 10 additional counties in Pennsylvania 5

6 Background Pennsylvania s comprehensive ambient air monitoring network currently consists of: 70 monitoring sites in 39 counties 202 individual pieces of sampling equipment for all NAAQS related pollutants including 49 PM 2.5 samplers The Allegheny and Philadelphia County Health Departments operate air monitoring networks in their jurisdictions consisting of 20 and 10 monitoring sites, respectively 6

7 Pennsylvania s Air Monitoring Network 7

8 Background PA Monitoring Network Sampling Parameters: Carbonyls: 4 Sites Carbon Monoxide: 5 Sites Hydrogen Sulfide: 2 Sites Mercury: One Site Nitrogen Dioxide: 13 Sites Ozone: 42 Sites Lead: 16 Sites Particulate Matter (PM 10 ): 9 Sites Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ): 27 Sites Sulfur Dioxide: 21 Sites PM 2.5 Speciation: 9 Sites TSP/Metals: 8 Sites Volatile Organic Compounds: 19 Sites Acid Rain Samplers, 17 sites maintained by contract with Penn State University (PSU) Mercury Deposition Samplers, 13 sites maintained by PSU Contract 8

9 Areas of Change DEP is expanding its existing PM 2.5 monitoring network of 27 particulate matter sites by adding 10 continuous samplers in the northern tier and southwest regions of Pennsylvania By the end of 2017, 52 PM 2.5 monitoring sites will be operational statewide including the 15 sites in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties Eight PM 2.5 sites operated and maintained by the Allegheny County Health Department. Seven PM 2.5 sites operated and maintained by Philadelphia Air Management Services 9

10 Areas of Change January 2016 Continuous PM 2.5 monitors operational in Bradford and Greene counties By the end of 2016 DEP will install continuous PM 2.5 monitors in Fayette, Indiana, Lycoming, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties By Fall 2017 DEP will install continuous PM 2.5 monitors in Clarion, Jefferson and McKean counties 10

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12 Monitoring Site Installation Timeline Average monitoring site installation takes between 6 and 18 months from concept to data collection New sites are proposed in DEP s Annual Network Plan (ANP) submitted to EPA The ANP is an 18-month proposal of modifications to the existing ambient air monitoring network The 2015 ANP is located here: cipalpollutants/pages/default.aspx#.vwj3a_pd-uk Site Concept (1-3 Months) Site Leasing (3-9) Months Equipment Installation (1-2 Months) Identifying Possible Locations ( 1-4 Months) Site Development (1-6 Months) Site Operational 12

13 Estimated Cost of Network Expansion Total estimated cost for the PM 2.5 ambient air monitoring network expansion is approximately $1.56 million including the purchase, installation and maintenance of the additional PM 2.5 samplers Federal Clean Air Act grant funds will defray a portion of the cost of the expanded PM 2.5 monitoring network 13

14 Air Monitoring Data Availability The PM 2.5 ambient air monitoring data is available to the general public via two websites: DEP s website PrincipalPollutants/Pages/default.aspx#.VwJ3A_PD-Uk EPA s AIRNOW system 14

15 Air Monitoring Data on DEP s Website 15

20 EPA s AirNow Website 20

24 The Air Quality Index Scale U.S. Environmental Protection Agency s Air Quality Index (AQI) provides daily air quality reports on five criteria pollutants carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide The AQI scale normalizes the concentrations of five criteria pollutants into one, easy-to-use scale The AQI is based on a color-coded system, outlining the severity of the health effects The higher the AQI value, the greater the air pollution levels and health concerns 24

25 AQI Reporting AQI Range EPA Color Scale EPA Descriptor Health Advisory 0 to 50 Green Good The air quality is good and you can engage in outdoor physical activity without health concerns. 51 to 100 Yellow Moderate At this level the air is probably safe for most people. However, some people are unusually sensitive and react to ozone in this range, especially at the higher levels (in the 80s and 90s). People with heart and lung diseases such as asthma, and children, are especially susceptible. People in these categories, or people who develop symptoms when they exercise at "yellow" ozone levels, should consider avoiding prolonged outdoor exertion during the late afternoon or early evening when the ozone is at its highest. 101 to 150 Orange Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups In this range the outdoor air is more likely to be unhealthy for more people. Children, people who are sensitive to ozone, and people with heart or lung disease should limit prolonged outdoor exertion during the afternoon or early evening when ozone levels are highest. 151 to 200 Red Unhealthy 201 to 300 Purple Very Unhealthy In this range even more people will be affected by ozone. Most people should restrict their outdoor exertion to morning or late evening hours when the ozone is low, to avoid high ozone exposures. Increasingly more people will be affected by ozone. Most people should restrict their outdoor exertion to morning or late evening hours when the ozone is low, to avoid high ozone exposures. Over 300 Black Hazardous Everyone should avoid all outdoor exertion. 25

26 AQI Reporting AQI Range 1hr Ozone 8hr Ozone 24hr PM-2.5 (µg/m³) 8hr Carbon Monoxide 1hr Sulfur Dioxide 24hr Sulfur Dioxide 1hr Nitrogen Dioxide 24hr PM-10 (µg/m³) 0-50 Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Significant Not Defined Harm Level 500+ Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined

27 AQI Reporting AQI Range 1hr Ozone 8hr Ozone 24hr PM-2.5 (µg/m³) 8hr Carbon Monoxide 1hr Sulfur Dioxide 24hr Sulfur Dioxide 1hr Nitrogen Dioxide 24hr PM-10 (µg/m³) 0-50 Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Significant Not Defined Harm Level 500+ Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Currently Forecast for Ozone and PM2.5 27

28 AQI Reporting AQI Range 1hr Ozone 8hr Ozone 24hr PM-2.5 (µg/m³) 8hr Carbon Monoxide 1hr Sulfur Dioxide 24hr Sulfur Dioxide 1hr Nitrogen Dioxide 24hr PM-10 (µg/m³) 0-50 Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Significant Not Defined Harm Level 500+ Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Not Defined Forecast Action Days when we feel conditions will reach Code ORANGE or higher 28

29 Air Quality Forecasting in PA DEP provides daily air quality forecasts for 28 areas across the commonwealth Year-round forecasting is provided for the following areas: o Lehigh Valley / Berks Area Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties o Philadelphia Area Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties o Pittsburgh Area Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland counties o Susquehanna Valley area Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties Forecasts for the Greater Philadelphia Area are completed by Pennsylvania State University 29

30 Air Quality Forecasting in PA DEP provides summer-only air quality forecasts for eight additional areas: o o o o o o o o Altoona - Blair County Erie Erie County Indiana County Johnstown Cambria County Mercer County Scranton / Wilkes-Barre Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties State College Centre County Williamsport Lycoming County The forecasts are usually issued by 3 PM daily, giving insight about what weather factors cause the forecasted air quality conditions Sign up for the forecast at 30

31 Air Quality Forecast Areas in PA 31

32 EnviroFlash Forecast 32

33 Summary DEP is expanding its existing PM 2.5 monitoring network of 27 particulate matter monitoring sites to include 10 additional continuous samplers in the northern tier and southwest regions of Pennsylvania By the end of 2017, 52 PM 2.5 monitoring sites will be operational statewide, including the 15 sites in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties Pennsylvania s PM 2.5 network is expected to be the largest in the eastern part of the country DEP s expanded PM 2.5 air monitoring network, will provide reliable real-time data to inform residents about ambient particle concentrations in their communities 33

34 Summary The continuous PM 2.5 samplers will also allow DEP to determine if the health-based PM 2.5 national ambient air quality standards are being met in newly monitored areas of the commonwealth Data from these PM 2.5 monitoring sites will also influence DEP decisions on cost-effective measures, if necessary, to further reduce particulate matter and precursor emissions DEP is committed to developing and maintaining a robust ambient air quality monitoring network to assess the ambient impacts of fine particulate matter on public health and the environment 34

35 DEP s Mission To protect Pennsylvania s air, land, and water from pollution and to provide for the health and safety of its citizens through a cleaner environment. We will work as partners with individuals, organizations, governments, and businesses to prevent pollution and restore our natural resources. 35