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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW OHSU opens rural 'hub' campus in Klamath Falls ... Portland dispensary fined $2,500 for handing out products in parking lot ... Surveillance video captures Medford surgery center thief ... OHSU opens rural 'hub' campus in Klamath Falls ... Portland dispensary fined $2,500 for handing out products in parking lot ... Surveillance video captures Medford surgery center thief ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Will wildfire smoke affect our air quality rating? Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 9, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Sep. 9, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Are we at risk of having our air quality penalized by the Environmental Protection Agency because of all the wildfire smoke? — No name given We're likely in the clear (air), dear reader. Ultimately, even when wildfire smoke affects air quality — which it certainly did for 29 days straight in the Rogue Valley last month — the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality can go through a process to have that data removed after it's submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency. "There is a mechanism for removing data from events outside the control of the community," said EPA air quality planner Justin Spenillo. "You can pull it out of the calculation if it meets certain criteria." In this context, that wildfire smoke would be called an "exceptional event," as it isn't a steady stream of exhaust from industrial sites or wood stoves. The smoke can cause levels for PM 2.5, a small particulate matter that can bury deep into the lungs, to go way up. Under federal guidelines, communities have to keep the measurement at or below 35 micrograms of PM 2.5 per cubic meter. "We work with (DEQ) to identify which dates they think are the ones that would be needing the exceptional event rule criteria. They're the ones responsible for marking that data," Spenillo said. Wildfire smoke isn't the only factor taken into consideration concerning exceptional events. In 2013, for example, communities across the state were affected by inversions that contributed to downgrading air quality everywhere. "2013 was a bad year for everybody. That really kicked things up a notch," said DEQ air quality specialist Larry Calkins. "It would be unlikely that EPA would designate Medford as non-attainment for those years." Communities that don't meet that standard are given a "non-attainment" status, for which they must make a plan to get the levels back down to those accepted under EPA guidelines. "There are no processes or regulatory decisions that are going on right now," Spenillo said. "I don't think there's anything to be alarmed about." Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 9, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501