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 The Knoxville region experiences a high amount of ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter, especially during the summer months. Ground-level or "bad" ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence  of sunlight (it takes the sun's heat as temperature and heat-energy to drive the reaction). Emissions from motor vehicles, industrial facilities, electric utilities and lawn equipment are some of the major sources of NOx and VOCs. "Good" ozone is a gas that protects the Earth from ultraviolet sunrays in the upper layers of the atmosphere ("good up high") but when it is formed at ground level, it is harmful to our lungs, can damage vital plant and water resources, can affect the economy by detering tourists from visiting the region if its scenic beauty is hindered by smog ("bad nearby").Particulate matter is the term for particles found in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, pollen, smoke and liquid droplets. Fine particulate matter (PM-2.5), those smaller than 2.5 microns or micrometers in diameter, are of the greatest concern. These particles are so small that they can become lodged deep in your lungs and may even enter the bloodstream and cause health problems. 
Some particles are directly emitted into the air such as from vehicles, factories, construction, farm fields, quarrying and burning. Other particles are formed in the air when gases from burning fuels react with sunlight and water vapor.On April 15, 2004 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated several areas throughout the country as non-attainment for air quality. These areas have ozone and/or PM-2.5 levels higher than allowed under EPA's National Ambient Air Quality standards (NAAQS). These standards are designed to protect the public from exposure to unhealthy pollutants. In the Knoxville region, the counties designated nonattainment for ground-level ozone include Anderson, Blount, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Sevier and that portion of Cocke County within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These counties were categorized as basic non-attainment areas and will have to comply with more general non-attainment requirements in the Clean Air Act (we are currently in a period where our ozone non-attainment status may be increased to "marginal," which is a step worse than "basic"). Counties designated as non-attainment for PM-2.5 include Knox, Loudon, Anderson, Blount, and a portion of Roane. The only other county in East Tennessee that was recently designated non-attainment for one of these standards is Hamilton County (Chattanooga) for the 8-hour ozone standard, but they were redesignated attainment in 2008 largely due to putting a tailpipe inspection program in place in their community. These counties must meet attainment for ground-level ozone by June 2009 and for PM-2.5 by April 2010. There is not an immediate threat to lose transportation dollars (we are not severe enough in our not meeting the standards to warrant such action, yet), but if this area does not implement air quality regulations necessary to clean up our air by the prescribed time, there will then be a threat to lose transportation project funding. Useful Resources (all will open in another window):
This text put together with help from the Regional Clean Air Coalition and data from the EPA. | |
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