A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...

%QWPV[ #KT 3WCNKV[ 2NCP HQT /QDKNG 5QWTEG 'OKUUKQPU #P #PCN[UKU QH 6TCPURQTVCVKQP %QPVTQN
/QTTKU
/GCUWTGU(GD
Various meteorological parameters including temperature, wind direction and speed, relative humidity, and solar
radiation are measured at specific stations. These data are indicators of formation and movement of pollutants.
Migration, or the lack of, can present a major risk to the public's health, welfare, and safety. When meteorological
conditions develop which may inhibit the dispersion of airborne pollutants for extended periods of time, there
is a potential public health risk. Thus when an air stagnation advisory is issued, pollutant levels are monitored
continuously to ascertain if air quality has deteriorated sufficiently to warrant emergency action.
In Morris County there are two air quality monitoring stations measuring specific criteria pollutants as per the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards. One site is on Washington St. in Morristown where Carbon Monoxide
and Smoke Shade (linked to haze) are monitored. The other site is located on Route 513 in Chester, where Sulfur
Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Ozone and solar radiation are monitored. These stations provide data from which to
generate a daily morning and afternoon air quality report and forecast. During emergency situations, this
Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) plus additional information are issued to the media. If high levels are anticipated,
an hourly watch is initiated. If primary standards are exceeded, a health advisory press release is issued.
21
Regions not meeting US EPA allowable levels are classified as "non-attainment" areas. Most of New Jersey,
including Morris County is classified as a Severe 2 ozone non-attainment region with ozone levels exceeding
standards by 58 to 133 percent. ( A Severe 2 classification indicates 1 hour concentrations of oxides of nitrogen
22
(Nox) of 0.190 up to 0.280 parts per million (ppm). Significant improvement has been observed during recent
years, insofar as the number of violations have reduced. The surge in 1988 was blamed on an unusually hot
summer.
The levels of carbon monoxide have also been gradually dropping, as reflected in the decreasing number of
violations shown in Table 3. No violations of the US EPA standard have been recorded at the Morristown station
since 1986. However the region has been classified as "moderate 2" non-attainment, exceeding standards by
more than 40%. The Moderate CO classification indicates an 8 hour concentration of CO at 9.1 to 16.4 ppm. 23
Of the pollutants monitored in the County, ozone and carbon monoxide are the two chemical culprits responsible
for the area's poor air quality rating. Table 3 provides an historical perspective of incidence of violations for
these two parameters since 1975. Ozone’s production is influenced by degree of sunshine, temperature, and wind
speed and direction. Though Chester’s station has not reported primary (health effect) violations in recent years,
secondary (welfare effects) violations have occurred as represented in Appendix A. Future data may show a
worsening of conditions since more stringent standards for ozone were promulgated in 1997.
21
/QTTKU%QWPV[&GRCTVOGPVQH2NCPPKPICPF&GXGNQROGPV&KXKUKQPQH6TCPURQTVCVKQP/CPCIGOGPV
22
+DKF
23
+DKF
207
Air and Climatology