FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 23, 2004) – Air quality monitors in Jefferson and Fayette counties have demonstrated that the two counties exceed a new federal air quality standard for fine particulate matter known as PM 2.5. As a result, the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC) has designated these two counties to be in nonattainment of the PM 2.5 standard.

The cabinet deferred a decision on Boyd County because of significant decreases in the levels of pollutants detected through ambient monitoring, the substantial decline in emissions in Boyd County, and the current anticipated improvements in air quality in the tri-state metropolitan statistical area over the next two years.

All other Kentucky counties were determined to be in compliance with the standard. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must approve the cabinet’s designations.

Particulate matter consists of particles of dust, soot, smoke and liquid droplets. A variety of sources, such as cars, trucks, buses, wood burning, power plants and other industrial processes, generate particulate matter and other air pollutants that contribute to PM 2.5 concentrations. Particulate matter is believed to aggravate respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis.

"Our cabinet will be working closely with city and county officials and other local leaders in these areas to create a plan to reach attainment of the standard in a way that protects public health without imposing an undue burden on the local communities," said LaJuana S. Wilcher, secretary of EPPC.

EPA adopted the new PM 2.5 standard in 1997 and states were required to submit a list of counties and their status based on three years of air monitoring. In July of this year EPA will publish a preliminary list approving or disapproving each state’s designations and will make final determinations in December of this year.

The federal agency is expected to inform states about how the new standard should be implemented later this year. Kentucky will then be required to update its State Implementation Plan (SIP) outlining how the two areas will come into compliance with the new standard. The SIP revisions must be completed by 2007.

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