ARS | Publication request: Implications of tighter PM10 air quality standards

Submitted to: Wheat Life
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 29, 2011
Publication Date: April 1, 2011
Citation: Sharratt, B.S. 2011. Implications of tighter PM10 air quality standards. Wheat Life. April 2011:6-10.

Technical Abstract: The EPA is proposing to adopt a new PM10 Air Quality Standard. The proposed PM10 Standard requires the daily PM10 concentration to be no greater than 65 or 85 µg m-3, which is lower than the current Standard (daily PM10 concentration no greater than 150 µg m-3). The proposed PM10 Standard does allow exclusion of 2% of daily PM10 observations each year before assessing compliance. Historical data at Kennewick and Spokane indicate that adopting a PM10 Standard with a threshold PM10 concentration of 85 µg m-3 will likely have no impact on the number of violations of the PM10 Standard. However, adopting a PM10 Standard with a threshold PM10 concentration of 65 µg m-3 may result in more violations encountered in eastern Washington.