PARTICULATE MATTER

What is particulate matter?

Particulate matter (PM), as the name implies, can be generated by any activity that causes particles to be placed into the atmosphere.  Since we all live at the bottom of this ocean of air and the particles are subject to gravity, the highest concentrations are usually found in our breathing zone.

How is particulate matter regulated?

EPA is the federal agency responsible for establishing air quality standards.  The task in regulating a pollutant is to set a standard that protects human health.  Research on the connection between PM and human health has improved our knowledge and led to revisions to the original standard (set in 1971) in 1987 1997, and 2006.

The monitoring site sites in Kutztown and Reading measure the category of PM termed fine particles.  These are PM that are 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller.  EPA focuses on this size because these particles can be taken deep into the lungs and harm one’s respiratory health.  In 2006, EPA revised the 1997 standard of 65 micrograms per cubic meter of air down to 35 as measured over a 24 hour period.  Instead of the technical measurements, all the values for the monitors reported on the Children’s Environmental Health website mentioned on the home page are translated into an Air Quality Index value that distinguishes among the classes of good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups (such as those with asthma), unhealthy, very unhealthy, and hazardous.  Each is coded with a different color from green to dark red, indicating the severity of the level.

How does all this relate to Berks County?

Unfortunately, Berks County is designated by EPA as a non-attainment area for the PM 2.5 standard, even using the old, more liberal 1997 standard.  Berks County is one of 22 counties in Pennsylvania so designated, all in the southeast and southwest parts of the state.  Non-attainment means that the County had emissions in excess of 65 micrograms per cubic meter over a 24 hour measuring period for measurements taken during 2001-2003.

The national map of non-attainment areas can be viewed by clicking here.

A map of Pennsylvania’s non-attainment areas can be viewed by clicking here.

Lastly, click here for a graph that identifies the sources of the PM 2.5 emissions in Berks County for 2002, the latest data available on the EPA website as of July 2008.