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Air Quality in Spokane
1969-2009: 40 Years of Clearing the Air
Air quality in the Spokane County Metro Area has steadily improved over the past few decades and in August 2005, Spokane was officially declared in attainment of all federal, health-based air pollution standards by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Air Quality Challenges - Although our air has significantly improved we still have plenty of work to do if we are to continue this progress. As we look ahead to 2010 and beyond, our challenges include:
- Meeting more stringent and health protective air quality standards for fine particulate and ground-level ozone being developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Enacting a new odor and nuisance regulation to protect the public's right to enjoyment of life and property
- Implementing new federal programs to protect the public from hazardous air pollutants
- Maintaining adequate program funding to meet these and other challenges.
Air Pollutants - The EPA establishes health-based standards for six criteria air pollutants. Every five years, the standards are reviewed against the current body of scientific evidence to ensure they remain protective of public health and welfare.
Air Emissions Inventory - The Washington State Department of Ecology has the most recent "Three Year Comprehensive Air Emissions Inventory" available on their website. If you're interested in detailed information about emissions/pollutants and the sources of pollutants, this is a good report to take a look at. The emissions data is presented in multiple ways: by pollutant, by source and by county. Click here for a link to the Emissions Inventory.
Below are Pie Charts of Sources of CO, PM, VOC and NOx Emissions. Click on the chart to enlarge view.
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Carbon Monoxide (CO)
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Particulate Matter PM10
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Particulate Matter PM2.5
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Volatile Organic Compounds
VOCs (ozone precursor)
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Nitrogen Oxide Compounds
NOx (ozone precursor)
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Other air quality information pages:
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