(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 from power plants and other industrial facilities. Exposure to SO2 can aggravate asthma and cause other respiratory difficulties. People with asthma, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the effects of SO2.

“We’re taking on an old problem in a new way, one designed to give all American communities the clean air protections they deserve. Moving to a one-hour standard and monitoring in the areas with the highest SO2 levels is the most efficient and effective way to protect against sulfur dioxide pollution in the air we breathe,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “This is one of many pollutants we’ve been able to significantly reduce through the Clean Air Act, keeping people healthy, protecting our environment and growing our economy. This new standard — the first in almost 40 years — will ensure continued success in meeting these challenges.”

EPA is setting the one-hour SO2 health standard at 75 parts per billion (ppb), a level designed to protect against short-term exposures ranging from five minutes to 24 hours. EPA is revoking the current 24-hour and annual SO2 health standards because the science indicates that short-term exposures are of greatest concern and the existing standards would not provide additional health benefits.

EPA is also changing the monitoring requirements for SO2. The new requirements assure that monitors will be placed where SO2 emissions impact populated areas. Any new monitors required by this rule must begin operating no later than Jan. 1, 2013.  EPA is expecting to use modeling as well as monitoring to determine compliance with the new standard.

The final rule also changes the Air Quality Index to reflect the revised SO2 standard. This change will improve states’ ability to alert the public when short-term SO2 levels may affect their health.

EPA estimates that the health benefits associated with this rule range between $13 billion and $33 billion annually. These benefits include preventing 2,300 to 5,900 premature deaths and 54,000 asthma attacks a year. The estimated cost in 2020 to fully implement this standard is approximately $1.5 billion.

The first National Ambient Air Quality Standards for SO2 were set in 1971, establishing both a primary standard to protect health and a secondary standard to protect the public welfare. Annual average SO2 concentrations have decreased by 71 percent since 1980.

The final rule addresses only the SO2 primary standards, which are designed to protect public health. EPA will address the secondary standard – designed to protect the public welfare, including the environment – as part of a separate review to be completed in 2012.

EPA expects to identify or designate areas not meeting the new standard by June 2012. CLICK HERE for more information.

April 22, 2010 is the deadline for contractors who provide renovation, repair and painting services.

A rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that all renovation and repair contractors working in pre-1978 homes, schools, and day care centers who disrupt more than six square feet of lead paint are required to become EPA Certified in lead-safe work practices. Contractors are required to take a one-day training course and firms must send a short application to EPA. If not, they could face tens of thousands of dollars in fines in the future.

Many contractors think the issue of lead paint poisoning went away years ago, or that they are doing all that needs to be done to avoid it. But lead paint poisoning isn’t just about eating paint chips, and even contractors who think they are doing a good job may not be working in a lead-safe manner. In fact, new research shows that contractors like plumbers, electricians, painters and window replacement experts can inadvertently expose children to harmful levels of lead from invisible dust disturbed during jobs they perform everyday.

Contractors working on pre-1978 homes, apartments, schools, day care centers and other places where children spend time. From large and small contractors to building services professionals, most contractors will have to take the necessary steps to become lead-safe certified. Firms must register with EPA and pay a fee. Individuals must take a one-day training course from an EPA-accredited training provider to become a certified renovator. Renovator training is also via “e-learning”; this option allows trainers to provide much of the course content on-line, making it more convenient for many renovators. EPA certification is good for five years.

For additional information including how your firm can get Lead-Safe Certified and where to find an EPA-accredited trainer in your area, visit epa.gov/getleadsafe or call 800-424-LEAD today.

ORCAA does not regulate Lead paint, but we wanted to share information regarding the upcoming deadline for training requirements.  Remember: Asbestos projects are regulated and need a permit prior to removal or disturbance.  All demolitions need an asbestos survey to verify the absence of asbestos containing materials.

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) encourages public involvement in its planning and policy-setting actions.

Toward that end, a public hearing is scheduled for April 14, 2010, in Olympia regarding changes to ORCAA’s air quality regulations. The  hearing will take place at the regularly scheduled meeting of the ORCAA Board of Directors, commencing at 10:00 a.m. at Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA), 2940-B Limited Lane NW, in Olympia.

ORCAA serves as the administrator of state and federal clean air laws within the six counties of its jurisdiction, but also maintains a set of local regulations to best serve the health needs of the region’s residents. The April 14 hearing addresses proposed changes to those local regulations.

The proposed changes are available in PDF on the ORCAA website, here.

Anyone desiring to make comments shall submit a written statement to the agency within thirty (30) days of this notice or appear at the public hearing.  The Agency operates under the provisions of ORCAA’s Regulations, laws and codes of record of the State of Washington and the United States Government.  Information regarding the above hearing is available for review at the office of ORCAA.  Notice is given by ORCAA’s Executive Director, Francea McNair.  Phone: (360) 539-7610 or (800) 422-5623, extension 100.

Each of the 10 EPA regions will focus on its own Campaign. Region 10, which covers Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, dubbed its campaign, “Early ABC (Auto body Rule Compliance) Campaign.”

The Early ABC Campaign is a program that will invite and encourage early compliance with the proposed Auto Body Refinishing (Surface Coating) NESHAP for Area Source Rule.  Training will be provided on ways to reduce emissions and risks from current operations.  We will develop and work with partners to develop incentives for early compliance.  Also develop a framework for a certification program that could be used by partners to help encourage early compliance.

As part of the campaign, EPA offers a free 19 minute training video – Available Here (Windows Media File) (59 MB) – starring NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon and featuring testimonies from large and small shop owners, which includes:

• Paint Strip Rule
• Best practices
• Saving money
• Worker protection
• Outreach resources

The video is also available on DVD. Any shop within ORCAA’s six-county jurisdiction may request a copy of the DVD from ORCAA. Call (360) 539-7610 to request a copy.