Ste. Gen County receives air quality violation
Published: Monday, November 30, 2009
Updated: Monday, November 30, 2009 9:30 AM CST
Updated: Monday, November 30, 2009 9:30 AM CST
Ste. Genevieve County exceed the 2008 eight-hour ozone standard of 75 parts per billion on one day this year, and received an air quality violation for 2009, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced on Thursday.
According to the DNR, readings of a monitor in Ste. Genevieve County near French Village exceeded acceptable ozone levels.
As a result of the violation, Ste. Genevieve County will likely be designated a nonattainment area under the 2008 eight-hour standard.
The violation is further complicated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recent announcement that the 2008 eight-hour standard is under reconsideration and is likely to be lowered to be more protective of public health and the environment.
Furthermore, while designation(s) recommendations under the 2008 eight-hour standard are on hold until EPA finalizes its re-evaluation of the standard, the 2009 monitoring data would support a nonattainment designation for Ste. Genevieve County, according to the DNR.
This violation and the possibility of a lowered ozone standard will require controls to reduce emissions of ozone precursors, which include volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides.
The department will continue to work with southeast Missouri stakeholders who have been proactive in their pursuit of voluntary measures to protect air quality in the area. If a nonattainment designation occurs, the department will work closely with these stakeholders to develop control measures that are the most effective in terms of cost and emission reductions.
Ozone season begins April 1 and ends Oct. 31. Throughout the season, monitors in southeast Missouri record ozone levels at two sites. If EPA lowers the standard, it will reevaluate the most recent three years of monitoring data to determine if additional counties should be included in the nonattainment area.
Ground-level ozone is produced when volatile organic compounds mix with oxides of nitrogen on warm, sunny days with little or no wind. Man-made sources of VOCs and NOx include power plants, automobiles and trucks and other business and industries.
Exposure to ground-level ozone, or smog, can contribute to health problems. Those who suffer from asthma, heart disease, emphysema and other respiratory diseases could experience increased breathing difficulty. Long-term exposure to high levels of ozone can even cause healthy adults to experience breathing difficulty, especially those who exercise or work outdoors.
For more information on ozone, contact the department's Air Pollution Control Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4817.
According to the DNR, readings of a monitor in Ste. Genevieve County near French Village exceeded acceptable ozone levels.
As a result of the violation, Ste. Genevieve County will likely be designated a nonattainment area under the 2008 eight-hour standard.
The violation is further complicated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recent announcement that the 2008 eight-hour standard is under reconsideration and is likely to be lowered to be more protective of public health and the environment.
Furthermore, while designation(s) recommendations under the 2008 eight-hour standard are on hold until EPA finalizes its re-evaluation of the standard, the 2009 monitoring data would support a nonattainment designation for Ste. Genevieve County, according to the DNR.
This violation and the possibility of a lowered ozone standard will require controls to reduce emissions of ozone precursors, which include volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides.
The department will continue to work with southeast Missouri stakeholders who have been proactive in their pursuit of voluntary measures to protect air quality in the area. If a nonattainment designation occurs, the department will work closely with these stakeholders to develop control measures that are the most effective in terms of cost and emission reductions.
Ozone season begins April 1 and ends Oct. 31. Throughout the season, monitors in southeast Missouri record ozone levels at two sites. If EPA lowers the standard, it will reevaluate the most recent three years of monitoring data to determine if additional counties should be included in the nonattainment area.
Ground-level ozone is produced when volatile organic compounds mix with oxides of nitrogen on warm, sunny days with little or no wind. Man-made sources of VOCs and NOx include power plants, automobiles and trucks and other business and industries.
Exposure to ground-level ozone, or smog, can contribute to health problems. Those who suffer from asthma, heart disease, emphysema and other respiratory diseases could experience increased breathing difficulty. Long-term exposure to high levels of ozone can even cause healthy adults to experience breathing difficulty, especially those who exercise or work outdoors.
For more information on ozone, contact the department's Air Pollution Control Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4817.
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Article Comments (5)The comments below are from readers and do not represent the views of the Daily Journal.
old codger posted at Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 11:18 am
The "water vapor" coming from the stacks at Mississippi Lime sure is rough on auto paint.
BassSlayer posted at Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 11:53 am
Be carefull what you wish for. These non-atainment designations are a political weapon and will severely restrict any future development in the area.
Ozone is a naturally occuring compound that is created with every lightning strike and protects us from UV and other harmful rays. Ozone is also generated and used in Waste Water Treatment.
I am at the point that I trust nothing that this government puts out from its 'group-think' scientists.
What is seen from most smoke stacks is nothing more than water vapor.
Ozone is a naturally occuring compound that is created with every lightning strike and protects us from UV and other harmful rays. Ozone is also generated and used in Waste Water Treatment.
I am at the point that I trust nothing that this government puts out from its 'group-think' scientists.
What is seen from most smoke stacks is nothing more than water vapor.
blasterrat posted at Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 11:02 am
I see almost daily a company in the Desloge area emitting a plume of smelly smoke that travels for miles and miles.I live more than ten miles away to the ene of this plant and can smell it when I walk outside.This air monitor is in the direct path of this smoke on most days.I would suggest that the officials look closer at this facility located on the old bonneterre road appox.1 mile north of Desloge.From my view its hard to imagine they arent in violation of clean air standards.
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The dust at MLCO is everywhere. It is a very fine, talc like dust, easily lifted and carried by the slightest of breezes. This is also a very old plant. If MLCO is forced to install highly expensive systems due to the county being designated a non-attainment zone, we may see the closing of this plant and the loss of some of the higher paying jobs in the area.