Events

Atlanta Hosted the Only Hearing Nationwide for EPA’s Proposed Sulfur Dioxide Standard

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Sam Nunn Federal Building, downtown Atlanta

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of reviewing the standards, or allowable limits, for a number of regulated air pollutants.  On November 16, EPA released its proposed standard for sulfur dioxide (SO2), suggesting a one-hour standard for the first time to better protect lung health.

Sulfur dioxide forms when coal, oil, diesel or other fuels containing sulfur are burned. The largest sources are electricity generation, industrial boilers, such as those common in Georgia’s pulp facilities, other industrial processes such as petroleum refining and metal processing, and diesel engines.  Sulfur dioxide emissions from diesel sources have been greatly reduce through the widespread use of ultra low sulfur diesel, but most large ships coming into Savannah’s port as well as some harbor vessels still burn high sulfur content fuel.

SO2 exposure causes a number of harmful effects on the lungs, including wheezing and chest tightness, especially for sensitive individuals and those who exercise outdoors.  Increased risk of emergency room and hospital admissions for respiratory problems occur with spikes in SO2 concentrations.  Children, the elderly, and asthma sufferers are the most vulnerable.

The current standard sets limits for 24 hour and one-year periods.  For the first time, EPA has now recommended a one-hour standard for SO2 in response to strong evidence of harm from brief exposures— even as short a period of time as 15 minutes. 

A preliminary assessment by EPA finds that Chatham and Fulton counties may violate the proposed one-hour standard, depending on the final limit that is set, and staff at Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division has indicated that the monitor in Floyd County has recorded high levels, as well.  A stronger, one-hour SO2 standard could lead to tighter controls of SO2 emissions from industrial sources and greater efforts to reduce harmful SO2 in the Savannah area.

Mothers & Others for Clean Air program manager Rebecca Watts Hull testified at the public hearing. Thank you to Drs. Anne Mellinger-Birdsong and Yolanda Whyte for providing compelling expert testimony from a pediatrician's perspective.

Read Georgia Public Broadcasting's coverage.

For more information:

American Lung Association’s fact sheet
Mothers & Others for Clean Air fact sheet

Campaigns

Reducing Harmful Diesel Emissions:  Mothers & Others for Clean Air is collaborating with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) to reduce diesel emissions in Georgia. Find out more about the problems associated with diesel emissions. Email the Program Manager to request updates on public participation opportunities to shape diesel rules.

Recently the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Athens-Clarke County (ACC), University of Georgia (UGA), and Washington County were awarded $1.7 million to install pollution control devices on diesel transit buses and municipal vehicles.  Mothers & Others for Clean Air and SACE worked with representatives from ACC and UGA to develop a strong diesel retrofit project.  They will lead the project’s education and outreach efforts, delivering workshops on the health effects of diesel exhaust and strategies for reducing harmful particles through retrofit technologies and idling reduction.

The grant will fund pollution control retrofits for ACC’s transit and fire and emergency vehicles, UGA’s transit buses, and a variety of municipal diesel vehicles in Washington County.  The project is expected to result in the reduction of .50 tons of particulate matter per year, as well as 13 tons of hydrocarbons and 91 tons of carbon monoxide. 

The funds are provided under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program.  SACE and Mothers & Others for Clean Air represent Georgia in a national diesel coalition that lobbied to secure $300 million to fund diesel emissions reduction projects as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Read full press release.

Georgians for Smart Energy:  Mothers & Others for Clean Air is part of a large coalition of organizations working to push Georgia leaders to meet growing energy demand through energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy sources-- NOT new coal-fired power plants.  For more information on new coal plants proposed in Georgia click here.

Expanding Public Transit Options:  We work in collaboration with the Southern Environmental Law Center and Citizens for Progressive Transit to promote public transportation expansion in metro Atlanta as well as between cities through commuter rail.  View the Transit Planning Board's comprehensive plan for transit in Atlanta and contact the Program Manager to find out how you can make this plan a reality!

Trends

American Lung Association releases its 2009 State of the Air report: Atlanta area ranks 6th in nation for worst annual fine particulate matter levels and 12th in nation for worst annual ozone levels.

Member Survey

Survey Results: Thank you to all who responded to the first Mothers & Others for Clean Air online member survey.  The results informed our decision to develop a series of Lunch ‘n’ Learn programs in different metro locations during the month of May.  Click here to read a summary of the survey results.