The Air Monitoring Section maintains and gathers data from an extensive air pollution and meteorological network located throughout the City of Toledo and Lucas County. Pollutants of concern are ozone and particulate matter. See Link Air Monitoring Sites and National Ambient Air Standards
Ozone
Ozone is a colorless, odorless gas composed of three oxygen atoms that can be protective or harmful, depending on where it is found in the atmosphere. Ozone is naturally occurring in the stratosphere, about 10-30 miles above the Earth’s surface, which in turn protects our planet from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Unfortunately, the stratospheric ozone has been thinned by man-made chemical refrigerants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), methyl bromide, and carbon tetrachloride. This synergistic relationship means that more UV radiation is reaching the troposphere due to the thinning of stratospheric ozone and more troposphere ozone (ground level) is being created by these UV rays breaking a molecular oxygen off of a nitrogen oxide (NOx) or volatile organic compound (VOC). Ozone at ground-level (troposphere) is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds emitted by cars, power plants, refineries, industrial boilers, chemical manufacturers, and other sources react with sunlight. The NOx and VOCs are hit by UV radiation and an oxygen molecule is severed from the component. This oxygen free radical then combines with the O2, which makes up about 17% of the air we breath and forms O3 (ozone). Ground-level ozone is the key ingredient in the chemical quagmire called smog. Smog is in particularly higher concentrations during the summer due to higher UV levels which catalyze the entire process. See Link Health Effects of Ground-level Ozone and How Citizens Can Help
Particulates
Particulate matter (PM) in the ambient air comes from a variety of sources and has an equally broad range of size, composition, and other characteristics. Numerous scientific studies have provided evidence that PM in the ambient air is associated with increases in daily morbidity and mortality. PM2.5 is composed of particles that are 2.5 microns (micrometer) in size that are directly emitted as products of chemical reactions of gases in the atmosphere. Examples of directly emitted particles include those from combustion sources such as residential wood combustion, agricultural open burning, coal and oil fired power plants and industries, as well as dust particles from roads and fields.
Many questions remain about particles and why they are associated with adverse health effects, including premature mortality and higher instances of respiratory illness. The EPA , along with others, are conducting research to better understand which attributes of particles may be causing these health effects, and who may be most susceptible to their effects, how people are exposed to PM air pollution, how particles form in the atmosphere, and what the contributions are from various sources in the different regions of the country.
At our department, we sample daily to get the concentration of PM2.5 in the ambient air. We also use special filters that allow us to see, not only the size, but the type of particulate in the ambient air. Like with ozone, if concentration levels of PM are in exceedance it is reported in the Toledo Blade.
For more information on particulate matter click here
Noise
The City of Toledo has implemented an anti-noise law to reduce ambient noise levels in the City. The city recognizes that this is necessary to preserve, protect, and promote public health. Our division is responsible for enforcing the industrial Anti-Noise Law, Chapter 507, Part 5 of the Toledo Municipal Code. This law enforces noise levels emitted from fixed machinery or equipment, or similar mechanical devices. Noises that are NOT covered by this law are residential noise, noise from pets, or loud automobiles. If you have issues with these, then contact the Toledo Police Department. Our division only handles noise relating to industrial processes. See Link Zoning District Sound level Restrictions, Exemptions,Construction noise
90 dbA Sound Level
The maximum sound produced by any piece of construction equipment manufactured after March 5, 1977, within a residential area, or within 500 feet of a school or hospital is 90 dbA.
Vibration Limitations
Steady state vibration shall not exceed 0.20 inches per second peak particle velocity, or it’s equitant in displacement or acceleration, in any one of three mutually perpendicular components of motion (vertical, horizontal, or tranversional). Impulse vibration shall not exceed 0.4 inches per second peak particle velocity (or it’s equivalent in displacement or acceleration) on any one of the three mutually perpendicular components of motion except blasting or pile driving, which shall not exceed 2.0 inches per peak particle velocity. All vibration recording shall be made on the ground adjacent to the closest structure. Traffic is excluded from these vibration limitations.