You may have seen New Hanover County Commissioner Rick Catlin discussing potential "nonattainment" in New Hanover County. Here's what that would mean to you:

The Clean Air Act requires that EPA set national air quality standards for certain pollutants.  One of those pollutants is Sulfur Dioxide (S02).  In June 2010, EPA strengthened the primary national standard for sulfur dioxide.  This change was brought about as a result of scientific studies that provided strong evidence for a link between short term exposures to S02 and adverse respiratory outcomes http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide. In revising this standard, EPA believes that they will improve public health, especially for children, the elderly, and people with asthma - which are the groups most susceptible to the health problems associated with breathing S02. In North Carolina, the new standard has a particularly significant effect on New Hanover County, because S02 monitoring data conducted between 2008-2010 shows that levels of S02 in the County exceed the new standard.  New Hanover County is the only area in North Carolina where monitoring results exceed the new standard.  

 What is SO2? 

SO2 is one of a group of highly reactive gasses known as oxides of sulfur.  It is largely produced by volcanic eruptions and industrial processes, with coal and petroleum combustion facilities being the largest industrial contributors.  The EPA began regulating S02 as an air quality pollutant in 1971 due to the chemical's affect on human health and the ability of S02 to form acid rain. In New Hanover County and the surrounding areas, S02 is potentially emitted by over 20 different industrial sources.   

How could the new S02 standard affect New Hanover County?

Because monitoring data shows that levels of S02 in New Hanover County exceed this new standard, the EPA will likely designate New Hanover County as a "nonattainment" area.  A nonattainment designation by EPA means that the area is failing to meet the national standard for S02 and that health problems associated with breathing S02 could increase as a result.  A formal nonattainment designation would stay with the County for approximately 20 years.  Aside from the effects on public health, the greatest impacts of the designation would be to industry, with mandatory emission reductions for existing industries, and the reduction in the County's ability to attract new industry.  In addition, the designation could also affect bond ratings, and could cast a negative view on the overall image of the County.  EPA will formally designate areas that violate the new SO2 standard as nonattainment by June 2012.

It is expected that the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources will begin conducting stakeholder meetings in April to provide an opportunity for input.  Information about these meetings will be available through NCDENR's Division of Air Quality website at http://daq.state.nc.us/news/.