DEQ encourages ongoing air quality improvement efforts in the Silver Valley

October 4, 2024

Contact: Emily Flores, Air Quality Monitoring Analyst, [email protected]

SILVER VALLEY - The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is encouraging ongoing efforts to maintain healthy air quality in the Silver Valley and comply with new federal standards.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for a variety of pollutants. If local air quality meets these standards, then an area is designated as "attainment." If not, it is designated as "nonattainment."

In February 2024, EPA lowered the health-based standards for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from 12 µg/m³ to 9 µg/m³. These microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, resulting in negative health effects such as increased heart disease, lung cancer and stroke, especially for vulnerable groups. Some sources of PM2.5 include wildfires, open burning, woodstoves, and vehicles.

What do these new standards mean for Idaho?

With EPA's new standards, some communities in Idaho are being evaluated to determine whether they are still meeting health-based requirements. If an area does not meet federal standards, the state is required to develop a plan that includes enforceable strategies to improve the air quality until it achieves the standard.

DEQ is currently evaluating the data to be used in this designation process and is working to ensure data impacted by wildfires is removed. Idaho will be submitting designation recommendations in early 2025. However, EPA makes the final designation based on the most current data, which includes 2024.

Why the Silver Valley?

The Silver Valley is surrounded by mountains, which can trap air pollutants such as PM2.5 near the ground, elevating local pollution levels and impacting air quality. Wintertime inversions can make this pattern worse.

From 2015 to 2021, the area was designated as nonattainment due to not meeting the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. The community adopted an ambitious air quality improvement program aimed at replacing old woodstoves, providing woodsheds and moisture meters to homeowners, and partnering with the Kellogg School District to develop an innovative education program centered on air quality. After six years of improvement efforts, the area was redesignated as "attainment."

However, with the 2024 decision to lower federal standards, the Silver Valley is nearing the nonattainment threshold again. Therefore, air quality improvement efforts throughout the fall and winter of 2024 could impact the level of air quality oversight in the Silver Valley.

What can the community do to make a difference?

There are many steps communities can take to continue protecting air quality.

Drop yard waste at the local incinerator

Instead of burning slash piles or yard waste this fall, take woody waste to the new air curtain incinerator at the Shoshone County Transfer Station in Kellogg. This facility can reduce pollutants by 88% when compared to traditional slash pile burns.

Turn your car off during drop-off and pick up

Turning vehicles off while waiting in school pickup lines or trips to the grocery store can significantly reduce air emissions. This can be especially important at daycares, schools, and hospitals that serve vulnerable groups.

Use alternative heating

Woodstoves are a common source of heat in Pinehurst, but they are also a significant source of emissions. By incorporating different sources of heating, including electric or gas, residents can significantly reduce PM2.5 emissions.

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