DEQ: La. met air standards in 2008
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The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has validated its 2008 air quality data, which shows all of Louisiana in compliance with two standards.
Historically, the only area in Louisiana area that has remained out of attainment for the ozone standard was the five-parish Baton Rouge area of Iberville, West Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston and East Baton Rouge parishes.
The data shows the state met federal ozone standards for both the original one-hour and the 1997 eight-hour standards.
In the 1970s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set a one-hour ozone standard at 120 parts per billion. This was replaced in 1997 with a rolling eight-hour average of 85 parts per billion. In 2008, that rolling eight-hour average was lowered to 75 parts per billion. Attainment designations for the new standard are scheduled for March 2010, but may be delayed pending several lawsuits.
The data for the past three consecutive years shows that this area meets both standards with highest one-hour value of 114 parts per billion and the highest eight-hour value of 83 parts per billion in that time period. Based upon this most recent data, DEQ has begun the process of asking EPA to recognize Louisiana as in attainment with the federal standards.
“The data show that Louisiana’s air quality continues to improve,” said DEQ Secretary Harold Leggett. “We can see that improvement in industry practices, a greater public awareness of ozone and the implementation of rules and regulations concerning air quality have made a difference. The efforts of many people have contributed to this accomplishment.”
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