HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 6/21/2016 - Memorandum From Cassie Archuleta Re: 2015 Air Quality Annual Report2015 FORT COLLINS
AIR QUALITY REPORT
CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)
CO levels in Fort Collins
are significantly better
than the national air
quality standard, and
have been steadily
improving for the last
20 years. CO is
emitted mainly by
cars and trucks and
the improvement has
been largely due to
changes in federal emission standards for motor
vehicles. *29 days missing
PARTICULATE MATTER PM10
PM10 (particulate
matter smaller than 10
micrometers in
diameter) measured
better than the national
air quality standard
throughout 2015.
These particles can
originate from a
variety of sources
including dust, smoke
and soot. *Collected every third day
PARTICULATE MATTER PM2.5
Fine particles or PM2.5
(particulate matter
smaller than 2.5
micrometers in
diameter) measured
better than the
national air quality
standard in 2015,
but some PM2.5
measurements were
in the “moderate”
category. These particles
are small enough to penetrate the lungs and
enter the bloodstream, and are the principal
cause in poor visibility or haze. PM2.5 can
originate from a number of sources, including
smoke, motor vehicles and industrial sources.
*Collected every third day
DAILY AIR QUALITY INDEX
2015 Levels At-A-Glance
fcgov.com/airquality
970-221-6600
OZONE
Currently, the City of Fort Collins, along with
much of the Front
Range, does not
meet national air
quality standards
for ozone. Ozone is
a respiratory irritant
2015 FORT COLLINS
AIR QUALITY TRENDS
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
PERCENT OF DAYS
VISIBILITY
Visibility in Fort Collins is shown as a percentage of good visibility days (below the standard) versus bad (above the standard) by year.
DAYS IN COMPILANCE
DAYS NOT IN COMPLIANCE
OZONE
The City of Fort Collins currently does not attain EPA air quality
standards for ozone. Ozone levels at the Downtown site have
measured near the standard, and levels at the FC West location
measure higher than the standard.
CARBON MONOXIDE
CO levels have steadily decreased since the early 90s due to
changes in vehicle emission standards and vehicle emission
testing requirements.
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
1990 2015
Second highest 8-hour average
as a percentage of the National
Ambient Air Quality Standard
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
2000 2015
100% - NATIONAL OZONE STANDARD
MASON STREET
FC WEST
Fourth highest 8-hour annual value as a percentage
of National Ambient Air Quality Standard
100% - NATIONAL CO STANDARD
PM10
PM10 levels have remained below the air quality standard.
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2000 2015
Second highest 24-hour average as a percentage of
the National Ambient Air Quality Standard
100% - NATIONAL PM10 STANDARD
VISIBILITY - Fort Collins visibility has measured higher than the Denver standard on average one out of every five days.
PM2.5
PM2.5 levels have remained below the air quality standard.
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2000 2015
Annual average as a percentage of the
National Ambient Air Quality Standard
100% - NATIONAL PM 2.5 STANDARD
MASON STREET
MASON STREET MASON STREET
which can cause
inflammation of
lung tissues and
respiratory
disease. In 2015,
three days measured
“Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” and a
number of days were considered “moderate.”
Ozone is formed from pollutants emitted
mainly by motor vehicles and industrial
sources. Values are generally highest on hot,
stagnant days during the summer months.
*2 days missing
VISIBILITY
Visibility is a measure of how clear the air
looks, and measurements are compared to a
Denver Visibility Standard Index that was
developed based on observer preference rather
than potential health impacts. Visibility is
monitored using an instrument that measures
the amount of light able to pass through the
atmosphere. Missing data indicates that high
humidity or weather interferences contributed
to low visibility, rather than smoke or other
pollution. In 2015, 42 days measured “poor,”
or higher than the standard.
DID YOU KNOW?
You can sign up for daily air pollution forecasts
emailed directly to you! Sign up for Enviroflash
at enviroflash.info or call 800-484-3247.
336*
GOOD DAYS
0
DAYS UNHEALTHY
FOR SENSITIVE
GROUPS
0
MODERATE
DAYS
121*
GOOD DAYS
0
DAYS UNHEALTHY
FOR SENSITIVE
GROUPS
0
MODERATE
DAYS
110*
GOOD DAYS
0
DAYS UNHEALTHY
FOR SENSITIVE
GROUPS
10
MODERATE
DAYS
310*
GOOD DAYS
3
DAYS UNHEALTHY
FOR SENSITIVE
GROUPS
50
MODERATE
DAYS
88
GOOD DAYS
107
42 FAIR DAYS
POOR DAYS
128
MISSING
DATA DAYS
Good - Air quality is considered
satisfactory, and air pollution
poses little or no risk.
Moderate - Air quality is
acceptable; however, for some
pollutants there may be a
moderate health concern for
unusually sensitive people.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups -
Although the general public is
not likely to be affected, people
with lung disease, older adults
and children are at greater risk.
Unhealthy - Everyone may begin
to experience some adverse
health effects, and members of
the sensitive groups may
experience more serious effects.
AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI) LEVELS