Virginia is in the midst of an air quality crisis. In spite of increased awareness and citizen support for stronger clean air policy in Virginia, Virginia continues to suffer from poor air quality, threatening our citizen health and the environment. Contributing to Virginia's air pollution are mobile (cars, trucks) and stationary sources (power plants, refineries). Stationary sources of pollution are those that emit air pollution from a single location, such as power plants, manufacturing, and refineries. Mobile sources, or vehicular traffic, are the number one contributor to Northern Virginia's poor air quality.

A Public Health and Environmental Crisis

The pollutants of greatest concern in the Commonwealth are greenhouse gases (Carbon, Methane, etc.), Ozone, Particulate Matter, Sulfur Dioxide and Mercury.

Ozone pollution in Virginia is above the federal level designated to protect health. These failing areas are referred to as nonattainment areas. Ozone results when Nitrogen Oxides and volatile organic compounds combine in our atmosphere. Ozone is responsible for a host of problems including respiratory illness, reductions in crop yields and forest vigor. Nitrogen oxides are also responsible for up to 1/3 of all nitrogen pollution entering the Chesapeake Bay.

Particulate Matter comes from many sources, but most harmful to health are those derived from burning coal and petroleum products. Particulates from industry and vehicles are responsible for more than 2000 premature deaths each year in Virginia. Unlike Ozone, PM does not vary with seasons.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is responsible to a host of health issues such as respiratory illness, aggravation of heart and lung diseases and premature death. 65% of the SO2 released to the air comes from power plants, mainly coal-fired. It is most associated with the formation of acid rain and the degradation of our scenic vistas like those found at Shenandoah National Park.

Mercury is toxic, effecting the brain and spinal cord, particularly the developing nervous system of a fetus or young child. Once released into the air from power plants, incinerators, factories, dumps and mining sites, it is then deposited on land and water where it poses the largest threat to human health and the environment. Find out more.

Virginia Must Act to Reduce Emissions

Curbing sprawl/promoting smart growth concepts and decreasing the amount of miles traveled per vehicle is one step towards reduced emissions. Promoting better land use patterns combined with emissions reductions from coal-fired power plants and avoidance of policies that incentivize new and existing coal-fired plants would provide much needed relief for the Commonwealth and assist Virginia in meeting its share in the reductions necessary to avoid the most detrimental impacts of climate change.

For questions related to PEC's air quality work contact Dan Holmes.