Polluted Cities Meet Carbon Monoxide Standard

March 22, 2000
EPA Region 5 said today that East Chicago and Indianapolis, Ind., now meet the health-based, outdoor-air standard for carbon monoxide.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 said today that East Chicago and Indianapolis, Ind., now meet the health-based, outdoor-air standard for carbon monoxide.

EPA Regional Administrator Francis X. Lyons signed the authorization requiring the two areas to meet the health-based standard for carbon monoxide in early January.

Bharat Mathur, director of the regional Air and Radiation Division said, "By working closely with our state partners, we have reduced carbon monoxide to levels the protect public health and the environment."

Last year, EPA Region 5 redesigned two other highly-populated areas -- Detroit and Minneapolis-St. Paul -- to meet carbon monoxide standards.

To qualify for the redesignation, the areas had to meet a number of requirements, including taking steps to cut carbon monoxide pollution, monitoring data to support the clean-air designation, and setting up a plan to keep the air clean.

Measures taken by these areas to cut carbon monoxide levels include use of oxygenated fuel, cleaner cars, reduced traffic congestion and car engine idling, as well as air-pollution controls on some industries.

The national health-based, outdoor-air quality standard for carbon monoxide is 9 parts per million averaged over 8 hours.

Carbon monoxide is formed when carbon in fuel is not completely burned.

Cars and trucks produce approximately 60 percent of all emissions nationwide.

Peak levels usually occur during colder months when emissions are higher and when air pollutants are trapped near the ground under a layer of warm air.

Sponsored Recommendations

3 Essential Elements for a Strong Safety Culture

March 13, 2024
Organizations globally have increased their attention on safety culture: trying to figure out what it really is and the aspects that are necessary to develop and sustain it. And...

Making the Case for Occupational Health Software

March 13, 2024
Deciding to invest in Occupational Health (OH) software can be a challenging leap for many organizations. This article will equip businesses with insightful strategies for effectively...

Fighting the Flu: Solutions for the Workplace

March 13, 2024
Seasonal flu continues to wreak considerable havoc both on individual wellness, as well as on our business continuity and productivity. Explore these solutions for protecting ...

Preventing SIFs with Digitization: Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities with Technology

March 13, 2024
This eBook discusses the origins of SIF prevention, outlines principles, models and tools available to EHS leaders to better detect and address SIF potential in their business...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!