Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 22, 2006 Pollution rule shift worries some Medford, White City monitoring stations would focus on tiny 2.5 micron motes only By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Air quality advocates worry that proposed changes in federal pollution rules could undermine strides made in clearing the Rogue Valley’s skies. Jackson County Commissioner Dave Gilmour said he and other local residents are concerned the state might get rid of air quality monitoring stations in Medford and White City. "If that is true, we are in serious trouble," said But a representative with the federal Environmental Protection Agency said those concerns are only partially valid. "I would say they probably shouldn’t worry," said Keith Rose, air monitoring specialist in the EPA’s northwest regional offices. Advertisement The Medford-Ashland area currently has pollution monitors in Medford and White City to detect particles that measure 10 microns or less in size, or seven times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Under new pollution rules that could take effect after September, the EPA will focus on even smaller particles that measure 2.5 microns. The Medford-Ashland area has been identified by the state Department of Environmental Quality as one of the top three worst offenders for this type of air pollution in the state. Particles smaller than 10 microns are potentially dangerous to humans because they can penetrate to the deepest parts of the lungs. The smaller the particle, the longer it can remain in the air and the deeper it can go in the lungs. Rose said monitoring stations in Medford and White City should continue to check for the very fine particles, but not the larger particles up to 10 microns, mostly dust from industrial crushing and grinding and autos driving on roads. The new regulations, which could take effect by November 2006, would mandate that communities not exceed 35 micrograms of 2.5-micron particulates per cubic meter. Those tiny particles are mostly generated by burning liquid fuels or wood. Based on data from 2002-2004, the average reading for the smaller particulates in Medford was 36, but data since 2000 show a general downward trend in pollution levels. As part of the new federal regulations, data would have to be compiled from 2004 to 2006 to provide a baseline to determine whether the area fails the new regulations. Andy Ginsburg, air quality division administrator for the DEQ, said the statewide monitoring program has been hit hard by state funding cuts. He expects funding cuts proposed by the Bush administration could further affect monitoring stations, although members of Congress are lobbying to restore these funds. Because Medford is one of the top three worst places for very fine particle pollution in the state, Ginsburg doubts that there would be any cutbacks in monitoring here. "I think Medford is the last place we will make a reduction," he said. "If any place is going to get 2.5 monitoring in Oregon, it’s Medford." Bob Palzer, an air quality coordinator for the Oregon chapter of the Sierra Club, remains unconvinced about the EPA’s direction under the new regulations. "We’re going to go back to the bad old days," he said. "I don’t see where the DEQ or the EPA will have any authority to do what they did in the past." He said it is difficult to understand exactly what the plan is going to be as the EPA shifts into focusing on finer particles. Palzer said the EPA, like many other federal agencies, is facing budget cuts that could undermine its funding of monitoring stations. Although the monitoring has been cut back, Rose said he still anticipates there will be stations in Medford and White City. "I would imagine that those two sites would continue," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail Pollution rule shift worries some ">[email protected] . DEQ official plans talk with cities on open burning ban In preparation for changes in air quality standards, a local environmental official is meeting with Jackson County cities to discuss tougher open burning rules and a plan to replace inefficient woodstoves. John Becker, air quality manager for the state Department of Environmental Quality, said one of the proposals he will present to cities in the next few weeks is banning open burning. Only Medford and Jacksonville currently have ordinances against outdoor burning. A woodstove changeout program, which follows the example of Bend, Sisters and Deschutes County, would require installing an EPA-certified stove at the time a house was sold. Becker said the DEQ will urge the Legislature to adopt a grant program to subsidize the changeouts, particularly for low-income families. The two programs would help remove some of the very fine particles in the air. As it stands, the Medford-Ashland area could be out of compliance with proposed EPA regulations that limit the amount of very fine particles (2.5 microns or smaller) to 35 micrograms per cubic liter of air. "As an air quality maintenance area, we would be out of whack with the standards," he said. Want to comment? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will take comments until April 17 on its proposed new air pollution standards. To make a comment, go to www.epa.gov/air/particles/fs20051220monitoring.html on the Web. Instructions for submitting comments are at the very bottom of that Web page. To mail comments, send them to: Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Absinthe Supply Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Debt Consolidation California Casinos GMAT Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada King of Spirits Email Security Advertisement s Advertisement