Environmental Services
215 N. Mason
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221-6600
970.224-6177 - fax
fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor Weitkunat and City Councilmembers
THRU:
Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Assistant City Manager
Bruce Hendee, Chief Sustainability Officer
Lucinda Smith, Environmental Services Director
FROM:
Melissa Hovey, Sr. Environmental Planner
DATE:
August 5, 2014
SUBJECT:
Air Quality Annual Report
The Environmental Services Department has prepared a summary of air quality and air monitoring data
for 2013 for the City of Fort Collins. A discussion of air quality programs and initiatives completed in
2013 is included below. The Attachment 1 is a graphic display of air monitoring results from the four air
monitoring stations located within the City. The first page shows the compliance status of Fort Collins’
air quality relative to national and state air quality standards during 2013, and the second page shows
multi-year trends. Additional information on air pollutants and sources of air emissions in Fort Collins is
included in Attachment 2.
In summary, Fort Collins air quality in 2013 complied with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for carbon monoxide and
particulate matter, but did not attain the standard for ground level ozone during 7 days in June, July, and
August. In addition, Fort Collins did not meet the state’s guideline standard for visibility during 2013 for
approximately 15% of the days measured. Three air pollutants, for which EPA has established NAAQS,
are not measured in Fort Collins; nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and lead. Based on air monitoring
results from other areas of the state, it is assumed that Fort Collins air quality is meeting these standards.
Fort Collins is located within the Denver Metro Area/North Front Range ozone non-attainment area. This
area was designated “non-attainment” for the 8-hour federal ozone standard on November 20, 2007. This
means that ground level ozone concentrations are higher than the national standard on several occasions
throughout a three year averaging period. Ozone is a strong oxidant that can trigger asthma attacks, cause
respiratory disease, and damage vegetation among other impacts. Ground level ozone is formed when
hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides react chemically in the presence of sunlight.
A non-attainment designation triggers stringent permitting, reporting, and pollution control requirements
for industrial sources. In addition, the state regulatory agency is required to implement a plan to bring the
area back into attainment through a variety of mechanisms including transportation planning, vehicle
emissions testing, and expansion of regulations for controlling emissions. Ground level ozone is a
regional issue and concentrations can be affected by local and regional emission sources as well as long
range transport from several states away.
The City of Fort Collins is not a regulatory agency but has been actively engaged in the control and
reduction of ozone through many local, regional, and state-wide efforts. Recent efforts include:
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participation on the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC)
participation in stakeholder group for revisions to regulations affecting oil and gas development
participation on the technical advisory panel for the Northern Front Range Oil and Gas Emissions
and Dispersion Study
implementation of the lawn and garden equipment rebate program
outreach and education on vehicle idling
education on sources of ozone forming pollutants within the home through the Healthy
Sustainable Homes program
support and advocacy for alternative fuels and alternative vehicle infrastructure
development of the interdisciplinary Green Built Environment team
involvement in industrial sources of air pollution that contribute to ozone formation including oil
and gas development and asphalt production.
In addition to efforts to reduce ozone smog, the City works to improve air quality through implementation
of programs and strategies that seek to reduce particulate matter pollution and poor visibility. City staff
address wood smoke issues by enforcing the City’s wood burning codes, responding to citizen complaints
regarding wood smoke, providing education and outreach on clean burning and efficient woodstoves, and
offering zero interest loans for woodstove replacement. Dust emissions from construction sites and other
activities are addressed through education and outreach, response to complaints, and enforcement of the
air pollution nuisance code. City staff is developing additional mechanisms for controlling dust emissions
and responding to the increasing number of dust complaints which will be presented to Council this year.
Other City programs that reduce air pollution include street sweeping, optimized traffic signal timing,
promotion of bicycling and public transit, use of cleaner vehicle fuels, and vehicle idle reduction
strategies.
The City’s Air Quality program focuses on indoor air quality as well as outdoor air quality. In 2013 the
Healthy Sustainable Homes program provided free home health assessments to 101 homes and reached
over 2,000 citizens through public presentations and educational forums. The program educates
participants on free and low-cost solutions for identifying biological contaminants and chemical
pollutants and improving indoor air quality in their homes. The radon program continued to provide zero
interest loans for radon mitigation systems and in 2013 expanded the loan program to include mold
mitigation projects in response to the September floods. The program also continued to sell low-cost
radon test kits at two City locations, and provide public education about the risks of radon in the home.
2
Attachment 1
2013 FORT COLLINS
AIR QUALITY REPORT
DAILY AIR QUALITY INDEX
2013 Levels At-A-Glance
CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)
OZONE
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 is largely
due to federal emission
standards for motor vehicles.
The ozone level at the Fort
Collins West monitoring
276
site was worse than
GOOD
the national air quality
DAYS
standard on 7 days in
82
MODERATE
2013, with the highest
7
DAYS
reading of 82 (parts
UNHEALTHY
per billion) compared
DAYS
with the 75 ppb
standard. The
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency has designated Denver and the Front Range
including Fort Collins as a non-attainment area for ozone,
meaning that the national air quality standard for health is
not being met in this region. Ozone can damage lungs
and causes smog. Ozone is formed when hydrocarbons
and nitrogen oxides react in sunlight. These pollutants
are emitted by motor vehicles and industrial sources.
365
GOOD
DAYS
0
UNHEALTHY
DAYS
0
MODERATE
DAYS
PARTICULATE MATTER
PM10
PM10 (particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometers in
diameter) measured better than the
national air quality standard
throughout 2013. These
345
particles consist mostly of
GOOD
dust and smoke and come
DAYS
mainly from roads, fields,
3
construction sites, and
MODERATE
0
wood smoke. Daily
DAYS
UNHEALTHY
readings do not total 365 due
DAYS
to monitor down time.
PM2.5
Fine particles or PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than
2.5 micrometers in diameter) measured better than the
national air quality standard for 2013. Elevated
concentrations were measured
on 11 different days throughout
the year. PM2.5 comes from
the incomplete combustion
354
of fossil fuels and from
GOOD
reactions between certain
DAYS
pollutants in the
11
atmosphere. Fine particles
MODERATE
0
DAYS
UNHEALTHY
are small enough to
DAYS
penetrate the lungs and enter
the bloodstream. In addition,
PM2.5 is the principle factor in poor
visibility (haze).
VISIBILITY
Visibility is a measure of how clear the air looks. The
Colorado visibility standard is based on observer
preference or aesthetics rather than health impact.
Visibility is measured using an instrument that measures
the amount of light that is able to pass through the
atmosphere on an hourly basis. The data is compared
to the Visibility Standard Index with categories good, fair,
poor, extremely poor, and “missing.” Missing data occur
on days when high humidity interferes with visibility
measurements. In 2013, over half of the days measured
were rated fair or worse for visibility. Poor visibility can
be due to smoke, haze, and the brown cloud.
2 Extremely Poor Days
50 Poor Days
84
Missing Data
Days
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You can sign up for daily air pollution forecasts emailed
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Air Quality
fcgov.com/AirQuality
122
Good Days
107
Fair Days
2013 FORT COLLINS
AIR QUALITY TRENDS
Collins visibility remains consistently worse than the
VISIBILITY Fort
Colorado standard an average of one day out of four.
100%
Not In Compliance
90%
100%
80%
90%
70%
80%
60%
70%
50%
60%
In Compliance
PERCENT OF DAYS
IN COMPLIANCE
NOT IN COMPLIANCE
40%
50%
30%
40%
20%
30%
10%
20%
10%0%
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
OZONE
For the last several years, ozone levels at the downtown site
have been near the health standard. Levels at the Fort Collins
West site violate the health standard.
CARBON MONOXIDE
The CO level has steadily decreased due to vehicle
emission standards and vehicle emission testing.
Carbon Monoxide
Ozone
Annuall 2nd
2nd highest 8 hr value as a percentage
percentage of
Annu
Na onal Ambient Air Quality Standard
National
4th
4th highest
highest 8-hr
8-hr annual
annual value
value as
as aa percentage
percentage of
of
National
Ambient Air
Air Quality
Quality Standard
Standard
Na onal Ambient
100% = National Ozone Standard
100% = Na onal Ozone
FC
FC West
West Monitor
2013
2013
2012
2012
2011
2011
2010
2010
2009
2009
2008
2008
2007
2007
2006
2006
2005
2005
2004
2004
2003
2003
2002
2002
2001
2001
2000
2000
1999
1999
1998
1998
1997
1997
FC WEST MONITOR
1996
1996
90%
100%
80%
70%
80%
60%
60%
50%
40%
40%
30%
20%
20%
10%
0%
0%
100% = NAT’L HEALTH
120%
120%
110%
100%
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
40%
30%
20%
20%
10%
0%
0%
100% == National
Na on l CO
CO Standard
Standard
100%
100% = NAT’L HEALTH
Mason SSt.. Monitor
Monitor
Mason
Mason St.
St. Monitor
PM10
PM2.5
For the past 15 years, PM10 levels have remained low and at
less than half of the health standard.
For the past decade, PM2.5 levels have consistently
measured below 70% of the current health standard.
Particulate
Matter
PM2.5
100%er
= NAT’L
HEALTH
Par
culate Ma
-- PM2.5
Annual average as a percentage of
Particulate
Matter
PM10
100%
HEALTH
Par
culate Ma
er= NAT’L
--PM10
Annual 2nd highest 24 hr average as a percentage of
Annual 2nd highest 24 hr average as a percentage of
National Ambient Air Quality Standard
Na onal Ambient Air Quality Standard
Annual Ambient
average as
percentage
of
National
Aira Quality
Standard
Na onal Ambient Air Quality Standard
100%
100%
100%==Na
National
PM10 Standard
100%
onal PM10
100% = National PM2.5 Standard
100% = Na onal PM2.5
90%
90%
80%
80%
70%
70%
60%
60%
50%
50%
60%
60%
50%
50%
40%
40%
30%
30%
40%
40%
20%
20%
10%
10%
20%
0%
0%
0%
30%
30%
MasonSt.
St.Monitor
Monitor
Mason
M
son St.
Mason
St. Monitor
Monitor
2013
2012
2012
2011
2010
2010
2005
2006
2006
2007
2007
2008
2008
2009
2009
2004
2005
2003
2004
2002
2003
2001
2002
2000
2001
2013
2013
2012
2012
2011
2011
2010
2010
2009
2009
2008
2008
2007
2007
2006
2006
2005
2005
2004
2004
2003
2003
2002
2002
2001
2001
2000
2000
1999
1999
10%
1999
2000
100%
100%
90%
90%
80%
80%
70%
70%
a
1990
1990
1991
1991
1992
1992
1993
1993
1994
1994
1995
1995
1996
1996
1997
1997
1998
1998
1999
1999
2000
2000
2001
2001
2002
2002
2003
2003
2004
2004
2005
2005
2006
2006
2007
2007
2008
2008
2009
2009
2010
2010
2011
2011
2012
2013
120%
140%
110%
120%
100%
ATTACHMENT 2
EPA Regulated Air Pollutants
Criteria Air Pollutants
CO
NO2
PM10
Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen dioxide
Particulate matter (10
microns)
Particulate matter (2.5
microns)
PM2.5
SO2
Sulfur dioxide
O3
Ozone
Pb
Lead
Hazardous Air
Pollutants
Misc.
Greenhouse Gases
Volatile organic
compounds
Diesel emissions
Benzene
Mercury
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Hydrogen sulfide
Formaldehyde
Nitrous oxide
Ammonia
Trichloroethylene
Toluene
Radon
Asbestos
Sulfur hexafluoride
Hydrofluorocarbons
Perfluorocarbons
Outdoor Air Pollution Sources
Mobile Sources
and Engines
Cars, trucks
Trains
Boats, ships
ATVs,
snowmobiles
Lawn & garden
Generators
Industrial (Point)
Electricity
generation
Manufacturing
Refining
Drill rigs
Construction
equip.
Area
Fugitive
Natural
Gas stations
Dry cleaners
Auto body shops
Agricultural
Mining
Upstream oil & gas
Wildfire
Radon
Wind-blown dust
Restaurants
Woodstoves/fire pits
Paints/solvents
Wastewater
treatment
Leaks
Construction dust
Nuisance dust
Vegetation
Geothermal
Volcanoes
Building heating
Indoor Air Pollution Sources
Combustion
Hot water heater
Furnace
Woodstove
Cook stove
Nat. gas fireplace
Car in garage
Materials
Insulation
Carpet
Varnish, paint
Composites
Vinyl
Plastics
Stored Chemicals
Cleaners
Paints
Solvents
Deodorizers
Auto maintenance
Gas powered equip.
Moisture
Mold
Mildew
Allergens
Pests
Radon
Radon gas
Contributors to Air Pollution
in Fort Collins
Fort Collins sources
Motor vehicles
Non-road engines
Breweries
Gas stations
Manufacturing
Institutional
Wood burning
Waste water treatment
Auto body shops
Construction related
Examples
cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, ATVs
lawn&garden equipment, construction equip.
Anhueser Busch, New Belgium
Avago, Intel, Woodward
CSU, Poudre Valley Hospital
wood stoves, fire pits
City of Fort Collins
auto repair and painting shops
earthwork, demolition, asphalt paving and production
Long range transport
Electricity generation
Oil and gas
Metro-Denver
Agriculture
Wildfire
coal fired power plants
oil and gas development in adjacent counties
industrial and vehicle emissions from Denver
animal feed lots, field/ditch burning
smoke from fires in CO and states to the west