Guide to Agricultural PM10 Best Management Practices: Agriculture Improving Air Quality

摘要

The Federal Clean Air Act requires that emissions from all significant sources in areas not meeting the national ambient air quality standards be controlled through effective programs. Through a study conducted by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) in 1995, agricultural activities were identified as a source that contributes to the production of particulate matter (PM). PM10 is particulate matter that is 10 micrometers or less in diameter (as compared to a human hair that is about 70 micrometers). These particles are very small and can invade the natural defense mechanism of the human respiratory tract, penetrating deep into the lungs. Consequently, PM10 can cause a wide variety of harmful health effects, especially for children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular disease. With this threat to human health, coupled with repeated violations of the federal health standard for PM10, public agencies and industry groups in the Phoenix metropolitan area have developed and are implementing programs to help the area meet the federal clean air standards for PM10.