WHAT CAN YOU DO?

At Home

• Use less energy more efficiently
• Heat smart with wood stoves and fireplaces
• Cascade Bicycle Club
• EPA air quality frequently asked questions

At Work

• Help Employees Bus Commute
• Bike Commute

Related Information

• Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
• General information on fine particulate matter
• Information on diesel emissions reductions
• The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's Annual Data Summary (2005)
• How can I help clean our air?
• Information on wood smoke and health effects
• How are ports and partners reducing emissions?

About this indicator: Fine particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) contributes to increased respiratory disease, decreased lung function, heart problems, and premature death. PM2.5 is a main air pollutant of concern in the Puget Sound region.

Drivers/influencing factors: The greatest contributing source to PM2.5 in the Puget Sound area is wood smoke, especially from fireplaces and woodstoves, in winter months when PM2.5 concentrations are highest. While wood smoke contributes the greatest mass of PM2.5, particulate matter from diesel engines is the most highly toxic.

Status: In 2007, readings at several King County monitoring sites exceeded the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's PM2.5 health goal of 25 micrograms per cubic meter. Concentrations at some of these sites were not far below the federal daily standard of 35 grams per cubic meter. Measurements taken at these sites are affected by a variety of sources, including wood smoke, vehicles exhaust, industrial activity, and port operations.

Existing response: The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has several programs designed to reduce PM2.5 emissions, including programs specifically targeted to address wood smoke. The agency enforces burn bans in winter months, when weather conditions contribute to high PM2.5 levels. The agency and its partners perform outreach and education to encourage people to use cleaner burning practices and upgrade older wood-burning stoves and fireplaces. Other programs include evaluating and expanding the areas where outdoor burning is prohibited and the agency's Diesel Solutions program, to reduce diesel engine emissions through voluntary, incentive-based projects.

Priority new actions: The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency will embark on a comprehensive review of its wood smoke programs in 2008 to determine measures that can be taken to further reduce PM2.5 emissions locally and regionally. Among other measures, this review will examine the feasibility of implementing an existing Seattle-King County ordinance requiring older, dirtier-burning woodstoves be replaced when homes in urban areas are sold. Additionally, the agency will be exploring possible funding sources to expand its efforts in diesel emissions reductions beyond public fleets.

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