Improving Air Quality in Greenville County, SC

The Challenge: Air Pollution

The Solution: Awareness

Upstate County Council Actions

• Place great value and importance on the health of citizens and the need for clean air

• County Councils of Anderson, Greenville, and Spartanburg – adopted resolutions in November 2002

• Established cooperative means for improving air quality in Upstate SC and meeting standards

• Entered into an Early Action Compact (EAC) with USEPA and SCDHEC in December 2002 through December 2007

• Provided that the Upstate’s air quality monitors reflect attainment by December 31, 2007, entering into the EAC helped us avoid– Restrictive permitting requirements– Restrictions on the distribution and use of federal

highway funds – Negative economic impacts and diminished job

growth

Air Quality Early Action Compact (EAC)

Southeast Attainment Status

Source: http://www.epa.gov/

Ground Level Ozone:

Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson Counties are re-designated to “attainment”

PM2.5:

Entire State of South Carolina is designated as “attainment”

What is Good and Bad Ozone?

Source: http://www.epa.gov/

Good ozone occurs in the atmosphere’s

upper level (stratosphere) and

protects us from sun’s harmful UV rays

Bad ozone occurs in the atmosphere’s

lower level (troposphere) during hot dry summer days.

It is seasonal, usually April to

September

VOCs + NOx + Sunlight = Ozone

+ + = Ozone

• On hot, dry summer days, high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by sources such as paints and household cleaners/chemicals react with high levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted by sources such as cars and industrial plants to form ozone (O3) at ground level

VOCs + NOx + Sunlight = Ozone• Sources of VOCs

– Household products– Trees, especially pine trees,

naturally release VOCs– Fumes released when fueling

vehicles– Poorly operating vehicle

engines

Area30%

OnRoad16%

OffRoad5%

Biogenic44%

Stationary5%

• Sources of NOx– On and off-road motor vehicles

(mobile sources)– Electric utilities– Other industrial, commercial, and

residential sources that burn fuels (gasoline, diesel, coal)

Area10%

OnRoad57%

OffRoad16%

Biogenic1%

Stationary16%

What is Particulate Matter?• Particulate matter

– Known as particle pollution or PM

– Complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets

– Made up of acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles

• Many sizes and shapes• It is a year-round matter

• Coarse particles– Found near roads and dusty

industries

– Range in size from 2.5 to 10 micrometers (µm) in diameter

• Average human hair is about 70µm in diameter

• Fine particles (PM2.5)

– Found in smoke and haze

– Smaller than 2.5µm

– Can be directly emitted from forest fires, gases emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles

Sources of Pollutants Generating PM2.5

• Primary particles– Emitted directly from a

source– Construction sites,

unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires

• Secondary particles– Complicated reactions of

chemicals in the atmosphere such as sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides

– Emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles making up most of the fine particle pollution

Health Effects of High Levels of Ground Level Ozone and PM2.5

• Irritates respiratory system– reduces lung function– produces coughing, throat irritation,

and congestion– inflames and damages cells that line

lungs– aggravates chronic lung diseases

(asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema)– causes permanent lung damage

Who Is Most Affected?

• Children• Elderly• People with respiratory illnesses• People who are active outdoors

Air Quality Guide for OzoneAir Quality Index Protect Your Health

Good(0-50)

No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range.

Moderate(51-100)

Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

(101-150)

The following groups should limit prolonged outdoor exertion: •People with lung disease, such as asthma •Children and older adults •People who are active outdoors

Unhealthy(151-200)

The following groups should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion: •People with lung disease, such as asthma •Children and older adults •People who are active outdoorsEveryone else should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Very Unhealthy (201-300)

The following groups should avoid all outdoor exertion: •People with lung disease, such as asthma •Children and older adults •People who are active outdoorsEveryone else should limit outdoor exertion.

Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution Air Quality Air Quality Index Health Advisory

Good 0-50 None.

Moderate 51-100Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

Unhealthy forSensitive Groups

101-150People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

Unhealthy 151-200

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

VeryUnhealthy

(Alert) 201-300

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.

Preventing Exposure During High Levels of Air Pollution Alert Days

• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities– Substitute for an activity requiring less exertion

• Walking instead of jogging

• Avoid long exposure to outdoor activities– Reduce activity time– Plan activities during days of lower air pollution

levels

• Don’t exercise near busy roads– Air pollution levels are higher in these areas

Preventing Exposure During Days of High Levels of Air Pollution: Be Alert

• USEPA– http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/air.html– http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/

airatmospheregroundlevelozone.html – http://airnow.gov/– Free automated service that provides information

about Air Quality Index in the location of your choice via daily e-mails

• http://www.enviroflash.info/

Preventing Exposure During Days of High Levels of Air Pollution: Be Alert

• SCDHEC– http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/baqspare.asp

– 1-866-238-4973 (Air Quality Forecast)

Preventing Exposure During Days of High Levels of Air Pollution: Be Alert

• Greenville County– Website www.greenvillecounty.org

• Under “County Highlights: Air Quality”• http://www.greenvillecounty.org/air_quality/

– Cable TV (Channel 2)

What Can You Do on the Road?• Consolidate trips to

avoid unnecessary driving

• Carpool or rideshare to work, school, or meetings

• Use alternative modes of transportation– public transportation,

bicycles, walk

• Avoid long lines for drive-up windows– Park your car and walk

into the business

• Avoid driving from store to store looking for just one item– Call ahead to find out if

the item is in stock

– Plan your trips to combine your tasks into one

• Avoid unnecessary trips during rush hours

• Accelerate and brake gradually

What Can You Do on the Road?• Avoid idling your car’s

engine for more than 30 seconds– Late model vehicles need

little warm-up during cold weather

• Observe speed limits– Avoid driving at high

speed

– Use cruise control on highways

• Avoid “topping-off” the gas tank when refueling– “Topping off” and spilled

gas pollute the air

• Use car air conditioning when absolutely necessary

• Refuel when it’s cool– Early in the morning or

during the evening

• Use alternate fuels if available and if your car is properly equipped

• Reduce car loads– Avoid driving with

unnecessary items

What Can You Do on Your Vehicle?

• Properly maintain fleet or personal vehicles to reduce emissions and enhance performance– Follow recommended

maintenance schedule– Maintain recommended tire

pressure– Replace air filter as recommended

in the owner’s manual

What Can You Do at Work?• Telecommute to work, if

possible or feasible• Carpool or rideshare

– From home to work

– From work to meetings, training sessions, seminars, conferences, etc.

• Consider implementing alternate work schedules– Reduces engine idling

during egress both in employees’ parking areas and on congested streets during rush hours

• Reduce driving by providing in-house– On-line training sessions– Web meetings/conferences– Conference telephone calls,

especially if long distance within the State

• Conserve energy– Chose energy efficient

lighting such as compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs

– In the long run, helps to reduce emissions associated with energy production

What Can You Do at Work and Home?

• Make sure the lids on chemical products, especially janitorial products, paints, solvents, etc. are tightly closed to eliminate evaporation

• Read the labels and use products that are water-based where suitable– Use the minimum

amount necessary

• When painting– Consider using brush or

roller instead of sprayer– Use paints that are water-

based or labeled “Zero VOC”

– Store solvents (paint thinners) in airtight containers

• Use fans instead of air conditioning at home, when appropriate

What Can You Do at Home?

• Conserve energy– In the long run, helps to reduce

emissions associated with energy production

• Chose energy efficient appliances

• Properly insulate your home• Check with utility company for

more energy conservation tips or programs

• Participate in gas can exchange programs in your community

• Microwave small meals

• Replace standard light bulbs with energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs

• Turn off lights in rooms that are not in use

• Put your computer on stand-by or turn it off when not in use

• Consider installing a programmable thermostat for your air conditioning and furnace to automatically adjust its operation during times away from home

What Can You Do Outdoors?

• In your home garden or office landscaped areas– Consider using manual (reel) or electric-powered

lawn and garden maintenance equipment– If using gas-powered lawnmowers, mow lawns

when it’s cool• Early in the morning• Late in the afternoon

– Consider creating flower or plant beds

to reduce lawn mowing areas

When Considering a New Car Purchase

• Consider purchasing hybrid, alternate fuel, fuel efficient, or lean burn vehicles– The State of South Carolina provides tax incentives

for individuals to purchase these vehicles• State income tax credit equal to 20% of certain

new hybrid, fuel cell, alternative fuel, or lean burn technology motor vehicle

• Tax credits allowed against a taxpayer's federal income tax liability

• Fuel economy website– http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

Outdoor Burning• State law requirements

– Air Pollution Regulation 61-62.2• regulates outdoor burning and provides

exemptions to the statewide ban on open burning

– Notify the Forestry Commission prior to burning • outdoors (yard debris), • for forestry, wildlife management, or agricultural

purposes,• construction debris, trade waste, or vegetative

materials from land clearing or right-of-way maintenance

Outdoor Burning

• Ordinance No. 3201– regulates outdoor burning in Greenville County

• within all platted residential subdivisions or all zoned areas with the exception of the residential suburban district,

• within 200 feet of a platted residential subdivision or applicable zoned area in the County

Outdoor Burning

• Don’t burn the following materials - It’s against State law!– Household garbage, trash, and cleaners– Paper, plastics, paints, and farm chemicals– Motor and waste heating oils– Building and roofing materials (shingles and tar)– Tires and other rubber materials– Electrical wire, insulation, and duct work

What Else Can You Do? Spread the Word• Word of mouth is a great marketing and educational

tool– Tell friends, family and co-workers what you are doing

and why– Education and small changes in personal habits will do

wonders to keep the air cleaner in our corner of the world

It is Everybody’s Responsibility• Often industry and businesses are

blamed for causing emissions that form ground level ozone and air pollution.

• But we are all responsible for reducing air pollution. – Remember motor vehicle emissions are the

single greatest contributor to ground level ozone pollution and PM.

Sources

• US Environmental Protection Agency– http://www.epa.gov/epahome/educational.htm

• SC Department of Health and Environmental Control– http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/

Contact Information• John Owings/Dan Powell

Greenville County Planning Department

Phone: (864) 467-7270

Fax: (864) 467-5962

planning@greenvillecounty.org

• Sandra YúdiceAssistant to the County Administrator

Phone: (864) 467-7105

Fax: (864) 467-7151

countyadministrator@greenvillecounty.org