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Air Quality <br />vapors, aerosol products, and industrial sources all contribute to ozone formation. Sulfur <br />dioxide, a colorless gas produced by industrial facilities such as smelters, paper mills, power <br />plants, and steel manufacturing plants, can cause a variety of respiratory diseases. Nitrogen <br />dioxide is a poisonous gas formed by high-temperature fuel combustion and subsequent <br />atmospheric reactions. Nitrogen dioxide in ambient air has been connected with a variety of <br />respiratory diseases. <br />Two types of fugitive dust or particulate matter are monitored and regulated under federal and <br />state laws: total suspended particulates, and fine (inhalable) particulate matter (PM~o). <br />Particulate matter consists of small, discrete, solid or aerosol particles dispersed in the air. PMIo <br />(i.e.; particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 micrometers) is too small to be seen by <br />the human eye but can become lodged deep within the lungs, potentially damaging lung tissue <br />and leading to serious respiratory problems. Wood smoke, wind-blown dust, and industrial <br />emissions are the major sources of PM~o. <br />In general, air quality in the Eugene/Springfield area is good. Significant decreases in pollutants <br />from vehicle emissions and industrial sources, especially the decreased reliance on the forest <br />products industry, have greatly improved air quality. Vehicle emissions have improved due to <br />the state vehicle emissions program and increased use of unleaded gasoline. Federal and state <br />regulations and programs help to control emissions from the ever-increasing traffic volume, <br />industrial activities, and other sources of urban air pollution. <br />Regulations and Standards <br />National ambient air quality standards have been established by the U. S. Environmental <br />Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) for each major air pollutant. Congress directs the states to <br />monitor these pollutants and regulate point sources to protect the health and welfare of the <br />public. Regions that fail to meet federal air quality standards are called nonattainment areas and, <br />under requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, are expected to make. efforts to <br />control emissions that contribute to the deterioration of air quality. The pollutants for which <br />standards have been established include ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen <br />dioxides, lead, and particulates. Primary standards are established to protect public health, while <br />secondary standards are intended to protect the environment. <br />The Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority monitors air quality for Lane County and enforces <br />many of the state and federal environmental regulation governing air quality. The state also <br />regulates fugitive emissions (i.e., dust, fumes, gases, mist, odorous matter, and vapors) not <br />typically subject to measurement, collection, and treatment by conventional pollution control <br />methods (OAR 340-208-0210). Also regulated are unusual or annoying amounts of fugitive <br />emissions traceable directly to one or more specific sources.. These state regulations require that. <br />reasonable precautions be taken to prevent particulate matter from becoming airborne. The <br />U.S. EPA no longer regulates total suspended particulates, instead using PMIO as a more accurate <br />measure of health effects associated with suspended particulates. Federal and state ambient <br />pollutant and fugitive dust standards are shown in Table 2. <br />Final EIS 88 New Federal Courthouse <br />