Archive for Health
Weather Pattern Leads to Smog Concerns
Residents Asked to Help Protect Air Quality The high-pressure system over western Washington pushing temperatures into the 90s this week may also create unhealthful levels of air pollution. Stagnant weather and high temperatures bring rising air pollution levels, especially smog-producing ozone. Smog develops quickly as the sun bakes the ozone and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) [...]
Fire-Safety Burn Bans now in effect throughout region
Residents who have yard waste to dispose of should look into clean alternatives to burning. Alternatives such as chipping and composting help keep our air clean and healthful. Those alternatives can also be used all summer, unlike burning. Because of wildfire and public safety concerns in our wooded counties, seasonal burn bans are now in [...]
DNR bans burning state-wide for summer
ORCAA Supports Fire-Safety Ban Outdoor burning causes significant amounts of air pollution, but it is the fire danger associated with burning that has prompted bans on outdoor burning in many counties in Washington. The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) supports the local fire agencies, as well as the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) [...]
Weather Pattern Leads to Smog Concerns
Residents Asked to Help Protect Air Quality The high-pressure system over western Washington pushing temperatures into the 90s this week may also create unhealthful levels of air pollution. Stagnant weather and high temperatures bring rising air pollution levels, especially smog-producing ozone. Smog develops quickly as the sun bakes the ozone and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) [...]
EPA Sets Stronger National Air Quality Standard for Sulfur Dioxide
First new SO2 standard in 40 years will improve air quality for millions (National Association of Clean Air Agencies) WASHINGTON– The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a final new health standard for sulfur dioxide (SO2). This one-hour health standard will protect millions of Americans from short-term exposure to SO2, which is primarily emitted [...]
Public Invited to Comment on Draft Air Permit – Sierra Pacific’s Aberdeen Lumber Mill
The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) firmly believes in its motto, “Clean Air is Everyone’s Business.” As such, ORCAA seeks to keep everyone within our jurisdiction well informed about the actions—and proposed actions—we take. Public comment is currently being accepted on an Air Operating Permit (AOP) for Sierra Pacific Industries’ Lumber Mill located in [...]
National Air Quality Awareness Week
ORCAA joins with the other local Air Agencies in Washington, as well as the Department of Ecology (ECY) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in celebration of the National Air Quality Awareness Week. The key focus of this week is to remind Americans to stay “Air Aware”and to have them reduce their exposure – [...]
Air Quality suffers from stagnant weather: Residents Asked to Reduce Burning
Air quality seems to be the first casualty from this week’s fog and stagnant air conditions. Still, stagnant air held down by a high pressure system means any smoke we put into the air around us, stays in the air around us. The result is rapidly rising levels of air pollution. Our region experienced unusually [...]
Clean Home Heating: Be more efficient, and less polluting with your woodstove
ORCAA, in partnership with the NW Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association as well as Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and NW Clean Air Agency,plans a series of clinics to help homeowners learn to operate their wood burning appliances cleanly and efficiently. The FREE clinics are all scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. In [...]
Burn Ban LIFTED in Thurston County
Thanks largely to a change in weather, air quality in ORCAA’s jurisdiction has improved substantially . As a result, the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency has lifted its Stage 1 Burn Ban in Thurston County effective immediately. To ensure clean, healthful air for all, ORCAA encourages residents to be responsible and to burn only when [...]
Burn Ban EXTENDED until Tuesday evening
A Stage One Burn Ban has been EXTENDED for Thurston County and will remain in effect at least until TUESDAY EVENING. Conditions will be reevaluated at that time to determine when the ban can be lifted. Under a Stage 1 Ban, no burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, and all outdoor burning [...]
Burn Ban EXTENDED in Thurston County
A Stage One Burn Ban has been EXTENDED for Thurston County and will remain in effect at least until Monday morning. Conditions will be reevaluated at that time to determine when the ban can be lifted. Under a Stage 1 Ban, no burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, and all outdoor burning [...]