Illinois Annual Air Quality Report

Illinois Annual Air Quality Report 2007

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A Message from the Director

Air quality is an important issue for all citizens, especially those with chronic lung and heart disorders. Since the creation of the Illinois EPA in 1970, we have learned a great deal about what is in the air we breathe and ways to make the air cleaner. The Illinois EPA has many focuses, but providing a healthy, clean environment for the citizens of this state is number one.

As technology evolves we continue to improve the way we evaluate air quality. Through our monitoring network, air quality is sampled from more than 80 individual sites including schools, businesses, fire stations, and independent trailers. Additionally, we are now able to see some air quality data in real-time. Tremendous progress has been made over the last few decades, and we are looking forward to gaining more knowledge to continue air quality improvements and better protect the public in the future.

The 37th Annual Air Quality Report provides a summary of air quality data collected in calendar year 2007. The Agency monitors for numerous pollutants including particulates, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and lead. More recent technology has also allowed the Agency to collect data on some heavy metals (mercury), nitrates, sulfates and volatile organic compounds.

Data collected in 2007 was similar to past years. Air quality ranked “good” or“moderate” 93 percent of the time throughout the state. This compares to 97 percent in 2006 and 90 percent in 2005. Overall, air quality trends continue to be below the standard.

The Illinois EPA strives to provide a healthy environment for all citizens. Data is not only collected and analyzed, it is provided on a daily basis through the Agency’s website. The information provided daily can be essential to individuals with lung and heart disorders. The Illinois will continue this essential service and predicts further improvements in air quality. If you have any questions and/or comments regarding the 2007 Annual Air Quality Report or air pollution control programs, please feel free to contact the Illinois EPA.

Douglas P. Scott
Director

Executive Summary

This report presents a summary of air quality data collected throughout the State of Illinois during the calendar year - 2007. Data is presented for the six criteria pollutants (those for which air quality standards have been developed - particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead) along with some heavy metals, nitrates, sulfates, volatile organic and toxic compounds. Monitoring was conducted at over 80 different site locations collecting data from more than 200 instruments.

In terms of the Air Quality Index (AQI) air quality during 2007 was either good or moderate more than 93 percent of the time throughout Illinois. There was one day (due to ozone) when air quality in some part of Illinois was considered Unhealthy (category Red). This compares with zero Unhealthy days in 2006. There were 24 days (14 for 8-hour ozone, 8 for PM2.5, 1 day for both ozone and PM2.5, and 1 day for SO2) when air quality in some part of Illinois was considered Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (category Orange). This compares with 8 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups days in 2006. Air quality trends for the criteria pollutants are continuing to show downward trends or stable trends well below the level of the standards. Percentage changes over the ten year period 1998 – 2007 are as follows: Particulate Matter (PM10) 10 percent decrease, Sulfur Dioxide 29 percent decrease, Nitrogen Dioxide 4 percent decrease, Carbon Monoxide 48 percent decrease, Lead 20 percent decrease, and Ozone 4 percent decrease.

Stationary point source emission data has again been included. The data in the report reflects information contained in the Emission Inventory System (EIS) as of December 31, 2007. Emission estimates are for the calendar year 2007 and are for the pollutants: particulate matter, volatile organic material, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Emission trends of these pollutants has been given for the years 1997 to the present. Emissions reported with the Annual Emissions Report have been provided starting with 1997 and are currently available through 2006. In general there has been a trend toward decreasing emissions over this time period.