Solvent Emissions and Air Quality

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Solvent Emissions and Air Quality
Defining the Air Quality Challenge
John Stark, R.S. City of Wichita Air
Quality/HazMat Program Supervisor
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Air Pollution Source Categories

• Point Sources
• Permitted sources of pollutant emissions.
• Mobile Sources (On-road and Off-road) autos,
  trucks, planes, trains, construction, farm
  equipment lawn and garden equipment.
• Area Sources
• Sources below the permit cutoffs metal parts
  cleaning, dry cleaners, auto body painting, house
  painting and other solvent use.

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Area Sources

• Sources below the permit cutoffs
• metal parts cleaning
• dry cleaners
• auto body painting
• house painting (oil paints/stains)
• other solvent uses
• The 3 Rs of Solvent Use -
• - Reuse, Reduce, Recycle

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New Federal Area Source Rule

• Paint Stripping Miscellaneous Surface Coating
  Operations
• 40 CFR 63, Subpart HHHHHH
• Commonly called the 6H Rule

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Solvent Usage

• A major contributor to air and water pollution.
• A leading source of hazardous waste.
• Chlorinated solvents are a major contributor to
  ozone depletion.
• The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 mandate a
  reduction in the amounts of solvents released
  into the atmosphere.

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Annual VOC EmissionsSedgwick County - 1999
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The Ozone Connection

• Ozone, or smog, is a colorless gas composed of
  three oxygen atoms.

• Ozone occurs naturally about 10 to 30 miles above
  the earth and protects us from the suns harmful
  ultraviolet rays.

• However, at ground-level in the air we breathe,
  ozone poses serious risks to human health.

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Where Does Ozone Come From?

• Ozone is not emitted directly into the air but is
  created by a chemical reaction in the air

VOC NOx Heat Sunlight Ozone

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and Nitrogen
  Oxides (NOx) come from cars trucks, power
  plants, industrial facilities, small businesses,
  citizen activities and other sources.

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Ozone

• Is a Seasonal Pollutant
• Highest pollution levels in summer
• (May-September)
• Hot, sunny afternoons evenings typically have
  the highest ozone concentrations

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What is Ozone Pollution?

• Every day, the average adult breathes over 3,000
  gallons of air, and children breathe even more
  air per pound of body weight.
• Ozone pollution has many effects on public
  health. Some of these are very serious.
• In the air we breathe, ozone poses serious risks
  to human health.
• Environmental repercussions - Ozone also
  adversely affects domestic and native plants and
  animals.

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Why is Ozone Bad to Breathe?

• Ozone can irritate lung and airways, and cause
  inflammation much like a sunburn on your lungs.

• Ozone can aggravate respiratory illnesses such as
  asthma.

• 10 to 20 of all summertime respiratory-related
  hospital visits in the US are associated with
  ozone pollution.

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Health Effects of Exposure to Ozone

• Coughing

• Nose and throat irritation

• Chest pain

• Reduced lung function

• Increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses

• Aggravation of asthma

• Children and people with chronic lung diseases
  are particularly at risk

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Health Effects of Exposure to Ozone

• Asthma
• is the fastest growing childhood disease
  in the United
  States

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EPAs Revised Standard for Ozone

• Recent health effects studies showed that EPAs
  1997 ozone standard was not protective of public
  health.
• In March 2008, EPA proposed a new, stricter 8
  hour ozone standard.
• The new standard is now in effect and will be
  used to designate nonattainment areas.
• The ozone standard is based on the fourth highest
  reading per year averaged over 3 years.

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Economic Effects of Ozone (NonAttainment)

• Increased costs to industry/commerce for air
  pollution controls
• Possible Motor Vehicle Inspection Maintenance
  (I M) Programs
• Government - More extensive Administrative and
  Planning requirements for transportation and
  other services
• Less local control of funding priorities

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Typical Air Monitoring Site Layout
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Location of Ozone Monitors in South Central
Kansas
l Ozone Monitor sites
l

l
l
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What do These Maps Show?
(VOC NOx Heat Sunlight Ozone)
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Ozone Pollution

• The color maps you just saw show ozone smog
  levels for the south central part of the US.
• WHERE IS IT COMING FROM?
• Possible sources
• Wichita citizens and businesses create our own
  urban air pollution.
• Ozone precursor compounds are transported to the
  Wichita urban area from Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma
  by our south winds.
• Combination of the two above scenarios

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EPAs New Ozone StandardImpact on Wichita Urban
Area

• As of 2008, we are in attainment with the new
  eight hour standard.
• Good News - Our ozone levels for 2007 and 2008
  are lower than we have had for several years.
  This appears to be related to the cool, wet
  summers we have had recently.
• Concern Some longer term trend data indicates
  actions may be needed to maintain the new
  standard.
• What will be the effects of the recession?

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The Good News

• There was a slight downturn in ozone
  concentrations in 2007 2008.
• Federal standards have required cleaner fuels
  (gas diesel) and more efficient on and off road
  vehicle engines.
• New federal standards are being implemented to
  control emissions from smaller businesses
  (drycleaners, plating facilities, machine shops,
  print shops, etc). The 6H Rule is one of
  these.
• New federal standards for small engines (mowers,
  chain saws, etc.) are also coming.

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Volatile Organic Compounds in Wichitas Air that
Exceed Health Thresholds

• Benzene
• Carbon tetrachloride
• Methylene chloride
• Trichloroethene
• Toluene
• Xylene
• 1,4-dioxane
• Bromomethane
• KUMC Project 2008

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The Health, Environmental, Economic Effects of
Air Pollution Reduce the Quality of Life for
All Of Us
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John Stark, R.S.Wichita Department of
Environmental Health

• To view an e-copy of the presentation-www.wichita.
  gov/CityOffices/Health/Environmental/
• Presentations
• For questions or further information call or
  email-
• 316-268-8449
• JStark_at_wichita.gov