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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 1/26/2021 - Memorandum From Cassie Archuleta Re: 2020 Air Quality Monitoring Data And Program Update Environmental Services 222 Laporte Ave PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970-221-6600 fcgov.com MEMORANDUM DATE: January 20, 2021 TO: Mayor and Councilmembers THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager Jackie Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer Lucinda Smith, Environmental Services Director FROM: Cassie Archuleta, Air Quality Program Manager RE: 2020 Air Quality Monitoring Data and Program Update The purpose of this memo is to summarize 2020 air quality data as measured for two major pollutants, ozone and particulate matter related efforts. Bottom Line In many ways, 2020 has been a year of unprecedented extremes. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of protecting those with respiratory or cardiac issues, as these individuals are the most susceptible to both COVID-19 and air quality impacts. Early in 2020, Stay-at-Home orders led to some of the cleanest days on record in 20 years, likely due to decreases in vehicle use. In contrast, during the Fall and Winter, local and regional wildfires led to some of the poorest air quality on record. Air quality is a Council priority, and the City has supported continued efforts at local and regional levels to improve air quality. Background Air pollution is made up of gas or particle substances in the air that can be invisible to the eye and have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Two of the pollutants monitored in Fort Collins, ozone and fine particulate matter, have Federal air quality standards. Monitored data, real-time visibility camera images and air quality alerts are available at www.fcgov.com/aqdata. In 2018, Council named improving air quality as a top priority; with a focus on ozone, radon, particulate matter and mitigating impacts from oil and gas sources. 2020 Data Summary Air Quality data can be summarized using an Air Quality Index (AQI) which is used by the EPA to communicate real-time air quality and health implications based on monitored values. The table below summarizes the number of days that were measured for each pollutant by AQI category in 2020. Pollutant 2020; Air Quality Index Category Number of Days Good Moderate Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Ozone (O3) 202 93 8 0 0 Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 304 43 11 1 0 2 For ozone: Eight (8) -hour averages). When pollution levels are in this category, some members of the public may experience health effects, especially members of sensitive groups such as the elderly, children and those with heart or lung conditions. These high ozone days are typical in Fort Collins during the summer months, where much of the Northern Front Range does not meet national air quality standards for ozone. The region has violated Federal ozone standards - since 2016. High values are generally measured on warm, sunny, stagnant days, when emissions from sources such as vehicles (local) and oil and gas production (transported) mix in the atmosphere. For fine particulate matter: Eleven (11) days in 2020 measured , and 1 day as nhealthy . These indices are based on 24-hour averages, and do not reflect some of the high values observed over shorter periods of time. These measurements were augmented by several low-cost monitors throughout the community, which also provided community access to more localized, real-time information. The lowest fine particulate matter averages in over 20-years were measured in March 2020, likely associated with a decrease in gas and diesel vehicle use associated with COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders. The highest fine particulate matter averages in over 20-years were measured between August and October, with values impacted by large regional wildfires Regional and Local Air Quality Improvement Efforts The City works locally and regionally to reduce pollutants at the source, promote awareness, and increase resiliency. Specific efforts in 2020 included: Education and outreach efforts regarding air quality were updated to address the compounded risk from COVID-19. Enforcement of new restrictions (curfews and distance requirements) for outdoor solid fuel burning in residential areas to reduce localized smoke impacts (fine particle emission). Burning was fully prohibited by executive order during the worst regional fire impacts (8/31/20-11/18/20). Regionally, due to the Federal non-attainment status for ozone, the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) adopted a new State Implementation Plan (SIP) with new State regulations to reduce emissions that contribute to ozone. reducing municipal small-engine (e.g., lawn and garden equipment) and large engine emission sources. The City participated in rulemakings at the State level related to ozone non-attainment, regional haze (related to particle emissions) and oil and gas sources. Next Steps In 2021, some highlights of anticipated air quality related efforts include: Promoting air quality awareness with streamlined communication of Air Quality Alerts, including Spanish translations. Increased indoor air quality outreach efforts targeting strategies such as ontaminant free , especially as people continue to spend more time in their homes. Partnership with CSU and City and County of Denver on air quality monitoring grant proposals intended to increase local and regional air quality monitoring. Continued efforts to reduce vehicle and small engine emissions, including rebates for recycling inefficient small gas engines such as older lawnmowers.