Air quality is important simply because we can’t avoid breathing in the air around us. The average adult breathes in about 20 cubic meters, or 20,000 liters of air a day! Those of us who live in cities should be especially concerned, since we are exposed to a greater amount of pollutants coming from automobile traffic, commercial, industrial and manufacturing facilities, as well as other sources. Air pollutants can cause a variety of health problems - including breathing problems; asthma; reduced lung function; lung damage; bronchitis; cancer; and brain and nervous system damage. Air pollution can also irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and reduce resistance to colds and other illnesses. Air pollution can be especially harmful to the very young, the very old, and those with certain preexisting medical conditions.
The Clean Air Act goes beyond the six “criteria” pollutants listed above by covering 189 other chemicals that pose environmental and/or health hazards. Many of these hazardous air pollutants are cancer causing, others may harm reproductive function, cause other types of serious illness or environmental damage. Hazardous air pollutants are emitted from small and large industries and businesses, as well as mobile sources like cars and trucks. Examples of hazardous air pollutants include benzene, asbestos, formaldehyde and naphthalene.
Denver’s Air Quality History
The Denver metro area’s air quality has come along way from the 1970’s, when the city was ranked only behind Los Angeles for having the dirtiest air in the country. Since the 70’s, Denver has taken important steps to reduce air pollution. The first such measure was instituting auto emissions testing in 1981. This program requires vehicles in the Denver area to meet a standard for tailpipe emissions in order to remain on the road. Another important step was the creation of the Metropolitan Air Quality Council (MAQC) in 1985 (which later became the Regional Air Quality Council.) One of the MAQC’s accomplishments was helping to bring about the use of oxygenated fuels in automobiles in the Denver area. Another important milestone was the Brown Cloud Study conducted in the late 1980’s, the findings of which showed that wood burning, street sanding and automobile traffic were major components of the Brown Cloud and air pollution in Denver. This led to new regulations on wood burning and a ban on fireplaces in new construction, and the adoption of new techniques to reduce the effects of street sanding. Another study in the mid-90’s showed that smoking vehicles and idling vehicles were also big contributors to air pollution; since then, Denver has adopted laws which prohibit the operation of smoking vehicles and limit vehicle idling time.
Denver’s Air Quality Rating
In accordance with the Clean Air Act, areas or regions are designated as either “non-attainment” or “attainment” for each of the six “criteria pollutants” listed. In order to become an “attainment” area for any particular pollutant, an area must meet the standard imposed by the Clean Air Act and be able to demonstrate how it will continue to meet the standard. Until the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the Denver area was designated a “non-attainment” area for ozone, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide. In 1988 the standard for ozone was met for the first time. The standard for particulate matter was met in 1995 and for carbon monoxide in 1997. Because Denver has developed a plan to demonstrate how it will continue to meet the Clean Air Act standards for these three criteria pollutants, the state was able to submit requests in the last two years to the Environmental Protection Agency for redesignation from “non-attainment” to “attainment”. On August 9, 2002, EPA approved the final redesignation request for particulate matter. Denver is now in compliance with all state and Federal criteria air quality standards
The Future of Denver’s Air Quality
Although the Denver area has made significant strides in improving air quality, there is still work to be done. With the region experiencing tremendous growth, increased construction, more automobile traffic, and increased power demands, Denver’s air will continue to be stressed with pollutants. In addition, the EPA has toughened its standards for ozone and particulate matter. If the Denver area expects to achieve and maintain attainment status for carbon monoxide, particulate matter and ozone, government and citizens will need to remain steadfast in our commitment to reducing air pollution.
Air pollution also causes haze and smog (as in Denver’s "Brown Cloud"), reduces visibility, dirties and damages buildings and other landmarks, and harms trees, lakes and animals. It is also responsible for thinning the protective ozone layer in the upper atmosphere that protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and may be contributing to the phenomenon known as global warming- the steady increase in average temperature of the global climate.
This site includes information on the following topics:
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards
- National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
- Denver's Air Quality History
- Denver's Air Quality Rating
- The Future of Denver's Air Quality
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Congress passed the Clean Air Act in 1970, which established the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Standards were set for six common, or “criteria” air pollutants: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead and particulate matter. The country was divided up into regions or areas, such as the Denver metropolitan area, and these areas have been given the task of meeting the standard for each of these pollutants. Areas that meet the standard are called “attainment areas” for each pollutant; areas that don’t meet the standard are called “non-attainment areas” for each pollutant. The following is a brief description of each of the six criteria pollutants:
Carbon monoxide (CO): Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that results from the incomplete combustion of fuels such as gasoline, wood, or natural gas. CO reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen through the body. It can be especially dangerous to people with cardiovascular disease, pregnant women, and fetuses.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2): Nitrogen dioxide results when fuels such as gasoline are not completely burned in air (air contains approximately 70 percent nitrogen). Nitrogen dioxide is a major smog-forming chemical. Nitrogen dioxide increases respiratory problems and triggers asthma.
Ozone (O3): Ozone can have either harmful or beneficial effects depending on where you find it. Ozone in our upper atmosphere helps block the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Ground-level ozone is formed by the chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. It is a principle component of smog and causes breathing problems, reduces lung function, triggers asthma or emphysema, and can irritate the eyes and throat.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2): Sulfur dioxide’s main source is coal-burning power plants (sulfur is a component of some types of coal). Sulfur dioxide is the main contributor to “acid rain”, which harms wildlife and damages buildings and statues. It causes breathing problems and may cause permanent damage to lungs.
Particulate matter (PM-10): Particulate matter is made up of airborne dust, smoke, soot and other microscopic pollutants. PM-10 is particulate matter with particles 10 microns in size (1 micron = 1/1000 of a millimeter) and smaller. Main sources of PM-10 include wood burning, road dust, combustion engines, agriculture, and construction dust. Health effects include lung damage, bronchitis, nose and throat irritation, and possibly long-term risk of cancer.
Lead (Pb): Lead is a heavy metal found in paint, leaded gasoline (being phased out) and emissions from metal smelters and industrial processes. It causes brain and nervous system damage, learning problems, peripheral nerve paralysis, and impairs production of hemoglobin in blood. Children are at an especially high risk.
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air PollutantsCongress passed the Clean Air Act in 1970, which established the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Standards were set for six common, or “criteria” air pollutants: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead and particulate matter. The country was divided up into regions or areas, such as the Denver metropolitan area, and these areas have been given the task of meeting the standard for each of these pollutants. Areas that meet the standard are called “attainment areas” for each pollutant; areas that don’t meet the standard are called “non-attainment areas” for each pollutant. The following is a brief description of each of the six criteria pollutants:
Carbon monoxide (CO): Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that results from the incomplete combustion of fuels such as gasoline, wood, or natural gas. CO reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen through the body. It can be especially dangerous to people with cardiovascular disease, pregnant women, and fetuses.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2): Nitrogen dioxide results when fuels such as gasoline are not completely burned in air (air contains approximately 70 percent nitrogen). Nitrogen dioxide is a major smog-forming chemical. Nitrogen dioxide increases respiratory problems and triggers asthma.
Ozone (O3): Ozone can have either harmful or beneficial effects depending on where you find it. Ozone in our upper atmosphere helps block the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Ground-level ozone is formed by the chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. It is a principle component of smog and causes breathing problems, reduces lung function, triggers asthma or emphysema, and can irritate the eyes and throat.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2): Sulfur dioxide’s main source is coal-burning power plants (sulfur is a component of some types of coal). Sulfur dioxide is the main contributor to “acid rain”, which harms wildlife and damages buildings and statues. It causes breathing problems and may cause permanent damage to lungs.
Particulate matter (PM-10): Particulate matter is made up of airborne dust, smoke, soot and other microscopic pollutants. PM-10 is particulate matter with particles 10 microns in size (1 micron = 1/1000 of a millimeter) and smaller. Main sources of PM-10 include wood burning, road dust, combustion engines, agriculture, and construction dust. Health effects include lung damage, bronchitis, nose and throat irritation, and possibly long-term risk of cancer.
Lead (Pb): Lead is a heavy metal found in paint, leaded gasoline (being phased out) and emissions from metal smelters and industrial processes. It causes brain and nervous system damage, learning problems, peripheral nerve paralysis, and impairs production of hemoglobin in blood. Children are at an especially high risk.
The Clean Air Act goes beyond the six “criteria” pollutants listed above by covering 189 other chemicals that pose environmental and/or health hazards. Many of these hazardous air pollutants are cancer causing, others may harm reproductive function, cause other types of serious illness or environmental damage. Hazardous air pollutants are emitted from small and large industries and businesses, as well as mobile sources like cars and trucks. Examples of hazardous air pollutants include benzene, asbestos, formaldehyde and naphthalene.
Denver’s Air Quality History
The Denver metro area’s air quality has come along way from the 1970’s, when the city was ranked only behind Los Angeles for having the dirtiest air in the country. Since the 70’s, Denver has taken important steps to reduce air pollution. The first such measure was instituting auto emissions testing in 1981. This program requires vehicles in the Denver area to meet a standard for tailpipe emissions in order to remain on the road. Another important step was the creation of the Metropolitan Air Quality Council (MAQC) in 1985 (which later became the Regional Air Quality Council.) One of the MAQC’s accomplishments was helping to bring about the use of oxygenated fuels in automobiles in the Denver area. Another important milestone was the Brown Cloud Study conducted in the late 1980’s, the findings of which showed that wood burning, street sanding and automobile traffic were major components of the Brown Cloud and air pollution in Denver. This led to new regulations on wood burning and a ban on fireplaces in new construction, and the adoption of new techniques to reduce the effects of street sanding. Another study in the mid-90’s showed that smoking vehicles and idling vehicles were also big contributors to air pollution; since then, Denver has adopted laws which prohibit the operation of smoking vehicles and limit vehicle idling time.
Denver’s Air Quality Rating
In accordance with the Clean Air Act, areas or regions are designated as either “non-attainment” or “attainment” for each of the six “criteria pollutants” listed. In order to become an “attainment” area for any particular pollutant, an area must meet the standard imposed by the Clean Air Act and be able to demonstrate how it will continue to meet the standard. Until the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the Denver area was designated a “non-attainment” area for ozone, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide. In 1988 the standard for ozone was met for the first time. The standard for particulate matter was met in 1995 and for carbon monoxide in 1997. Because Denver has developed a plan to demonstrate how it will continue to meet the Clean Air Act standards for these three criteria pollutants, the state was able to submit requests in the last two years to the Environmental Protection Agency for redesignation from “non-attainment” to “attainment”. On August 9, 2002, EPA approved the final redesignation request for particulate matter. Denver is now in compliance with all state and Federal criteria air quality standards
The Future of Denver’s Air Quality
Although the Denver area has made significant strides in improving air quality, there is still work to be done. With the region experiencing tremendous growth, increased construction, more automobile traffic, and increased power demands, Denver’s air will continue to be stressed with pollutants. In addition, the EPA has toughened its standards for ozone and particulate matter. If the Denver area expects to achieve and maintain attainment status for carbon monoxide, particulate matter and ozone, government and citizens will need to remain steadfast in our commitment to reducing air pollution.
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